Photo: BSS

NAOGAON, Sept 16, 2025 (BSS) - Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-5 arrested two people with an ancient touchstone idol worth about Taka 80 lakh from Dhamairhat upazila of the district.

The detainees were identified as Mamdul Islam, 45, son of late Saif Uddin Mandal of Joyjoypur area and Tariqul Islam, 35, son of Moen Uddin Mandal of Durgapur area under the upazila.

Acting on a tip-off, an intelligence team of RAB-5 carried out a drive in Beniduar area on Monday and detained the duo with a statue of Hindu Goddess Parvati, according to a RAB-5 press release issued this afternoon.

The press release said the arrested persons are members of a gang smuggling ancient antiquities. 

The statue is 24.5 inches high and weighs 25.1 kg and its estimated value is Taka 80 lakh, the release added.

Later, the arrested men along with the recovered idol were handed over to Dhamairhat Police Station for further legal action.