(UPDATE) February 23: Police in Paro are still investigating the vandalism of the Shera Dra-gu Lhakhang in Dotey Gewog. The incident took place at around 10:00pm on Sunday, February 17.

Ap Dorji, the owner of the Lhakhang was away when the incident took place. He had gone to his village to fetch water because the water supply to the Lhakhang was disrupted by the recent forest fire.

The incident was discovered only next morning when Ap Dorji returned from his village. The miscreants have vandalized a total of 10 statues to steal the sacred nangtens installed inside them.

Six of the statues were vandalized in the main lhakhang located on the third floor. Four other statues were vandalized in the second floor of the Lhakhang. The miscreants also entered the Goenkhang and vandalized several important religious items to steal the nangtens. A chorten located below the Lhakhang was also vandalized on the same night.

According to the owner, the Lhakhang was founded by Choje Jungney long before the Paro Dzong was built.