Five held for bid to smuggle Panchaloha idols

Five persons were arrested today for attempting to smuggle three panchaloha (five metal) idols near Kumbakonam this morning, police said.

Acting on a tip-off that the idols were allegedly being smuggled from Ariyalur district to Kumbakonam in a car, a police team conducted a check of vehicles at Koranattukaruppur on the outskirts of Kumbakonam.

During the inspection, it was found that three idols were being taken in the car and five occupants were arrested.

Police said the idols, two of Goddess Amman and one of Lord Vinayaga, were one-and-half feet tall and worth several lakhs of rupees.

The arrested were identified as Mani, Kumar, Mani, Mano and Visvasundaram. Their car was also seized.