Hyderabad: The city police, which had launched a hunt to recover the paintings of M F Hussain and other artists stolen from the Asian Social Forum summit during the first week of January, is hopeful of recovering them.

According to police, special teams have been formed and deputed to various places, including Vijayawada, Nuzvid and Nellore on "some information leading to the culprits".

Hussain's painting, on display at the summit venue at Nizam college grounds depicting the message of peace was valued at Rs 70 lakh and was part of his personal collection not meant for sale.

"We are also putting all efforts in tracing the valuable paintings and providing clues and information in this connection to police," the organisers of the summit said on January 17.

Hussain, who came to know of the theft on January 12, was upset and told a press conference that it was unexpected of organisers to "treat the painting in a casual manner without providing necessary security. My aim in displaying the painting was to give an opportunity to common man to understand the message of peace and love."

PTI