BARAMULLA, Dec 26 — An ancient stone sculpture of Goddess Durga recovered from the River Jhelum in Baramulla has been handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for conservation, police said Thursday.
Baramulla police said the sculpture was retrieved by a local fisherman and subsequently placed in safe custody before being formally transferred to the archaeology department following due procedure.
According to a police statement issued to Kashmir News Corner, the recovery was reported on Dec. 25 by Nazir Ahmad Latoo of Shaltang-Zogyar, who found the stone sculpture while fishing in the Jhelum and informed Police Station Sheeri.
“The sculpture was immediately brought to the notice of police authorities and kept in safe custody at Police Station Sheeri,” the statement said.
On Dec. 26, acting on directions from the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K, the sculpture—identified as Goddess Durga—was formally handed over to officials of the Archaeology Wing in Srinagar through a proper handover process.
Police said the artifact will now undergo preservation and conservation.
“Baramulla Police reiterates its commitment to the protection of cultural heritage and urges citizens to promptly inform authorities about any such discoveries of historical or archaeological importance,” the statement said.
