February 3: A Jangchup chorten was vandalized last Monday at Bayling Khabar village in Trashi Yangtse. According to the Yangtse Gup, Karma Wangchuk, except for two disfigured Meenkus or statues made of clay, all other valuable relics were stolen.

The chorten was built more than three decades ago. This is the fourth chorten vandalism to be reported.

According to records maintained by the Gup’s office, three Jangchub Chortens were vandalized last December. All three chortens were robbed off all the nangtens. There is only one chorten which has not been vandalized in the village.

Our reporter Dorji Dema says at night villagers are taking turns to guard the only chorten which has not been robbed.

Police are investigating the spate of chorten vandalism.