The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Ten crates containing 189 rare and invaluable archeological artifacts of Bangladesh which were taken to the Zia International Airport from the National Museum on Friday were sent to France yesterday in spite of strong protests from art connoisseurs and artists.

These artifacts, representing Bangladesh's ancient history, are destined for Guimet Museum in Paris. They were sent through an Air France cargo flight (AF 6731) early in the afternoon yesterday from the ZIA.

The artifacts were collected from five different museums in the country--National Museum in Dhaka, Barind Research Museum in Rajshahi, Mahasthangarh Archaeological Museum, Mainamoti Archaeological Museum and Paharpur Archaeological Museum. Amongst the objects are one copy of Prajna Paramita (Buddhist manuscript), terracotta heads dating back to the 4th century, bronze sculpture of Lokanath of the 8th century, stone sculptures of Nataraj, Mahamaya, Chamunda, Kalyansundar, Panchamukha Shiblinga, Surja, Nabagraha, Shyamatara, Marichi and others of the 10th century.

The artifacts also include a wood sculpture of Lokanath of the 11th century and headgear of the 2nd Shah Abbas of Persia of the 18th century.

Breaking the emergency rule on Friday, hundreds of protesters assembled in front of the National Museum gate at Shahbagh learning that the artifacts were being removed secretly.

Witnesses said the artifacts were removed through a large covered van and forklift truck of Homebound Packers and Shippers at the order by the French Embassy in Dhaka.

Trucks and forklift went to the National Museum premises secretly in the early hours of morning for shifting the artifacts to the airport amid heavy police presence. But the news was leaked and protesters assembled outside the museum.

Amid heavy police presence, Homebound vehicles (Dhaka Metro Uma 11-0814, Pho 11-3634, U 14-0187) and forklift truck, bearing "Save The Children Cyclone and USAID Sidr Emergency Relief" signs were used to take away the priceless items.

At one stage, the protesters, including artists, archeologists and students of the nearby Fine Arts Institute locked in a clash with police when they tried to intercept the Homebound covered van from leaving the museum premises with the artifacts. Police also charged batons on the protesters to disperse them.