Bronze Buddha Statue Hand Thief Turns Out to Be 13-Year-Old Child

A child who used a saw to cut off the hands of bronze Buddha statues near the Bo Baw Yit Thar Pagoda, close to Ward (1) Police Station in Taungoo, Bago Region, has been arrested, according to reports.

The theft occurred around mid-July, with the left wrists of the bronze Buddha statues being severed from the base, it is reported.

On the morning of August 23, while a patrol team led by the ward leader from Taungoo Ward (1) Police Station, under the junta government, was conducting rounds, they spotted a suspicious child on the moat road behind Taungoo Hospital and conducted a search, it was stated.

The 13-year-old child, Zin Min Htet, was found carrying the missing bronze Buddha statue hands in a black plastic bag, according to reports.

"It is sad that a 13-year-old child has reached the point of daring to cut off Buddha's hands with a saw. We want further investigation into whether there is someone behind him directing this, or shops dealing in bronze trading," social media users have commented.

Currently, the child who cut off and stole the Buddha statue hands has been charged under Penal Code Section 379/54 and the case has been filed at Taungoo Ward Police Station, it is reported.