Kathmandu, Aug.16: Police arrested some suspected idol lifters in the capital this week in two separate catches, reports said.

Dipak Giri and Arjun Magar were arrested with a century old stone image of Lord Shiva plucked  from a temple in front of Kathmandu Ganeshthan on August 1. They were arrested with the idol concealed in a sack in front of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, police said.

Three persons were arrested with 11 ancient images of Lord Shiva at Thankot as they were coming to the capital from Dang in a bus, police said. Meanwhile, a museum in Berlin is sending home later this month a 900-year-old image of Uma-Maheswor stolen from Dhulikhel in 1982. Similarly, an unidentified American returned four idols two years ago. The objects of worship of the Nepalis are works of  art for Westerners decorating their drawing rooms or museums.

Grilles are being erected around temples to prevent thefts.