Chennai: The mystery around the 50 stone idols found in Cooum river at Pirinjivakkam village in Tiruvallur district on Sunday continues, as the state archaeology department is yet to inspect them.On Sunday, some residents of the village, which falls under Kadambathur union, said they stumbled upon the idols when they went for a stroll near the river. Among the idols were those of Vinayaka, Murugan, Ayyappan and Kali.“The idols do not seem old; however, moss has grown on a few of them. We retrieved them and informed the police and panchayat administration,” said Elumalai, a resident. The revenue officials were informed about the issue, and they took the idols into their custody.Tiruvallur collector M Prathap on Sunday told TOI that the district administration secured the idols and locked them away safely for the time being. “We informed the state archaeology department to ascertain the antiquity of the idols. A proper investigation to trace the origins of the idols can only commence after that,” he said.Officials said that the state archaeology department is yet to commence the inspection. “We do not suspect it was dumped by some thieves. We have to check if it is from some temple or abandoned by some sculptor, as the idols do not seem perfect,” he added.
