Exhumation starts as families submit DNA samples to identify martyrs of the July Uprising

The exhumation of the bodies of 114 unidentified martyrs of the July Uprising began on Sunday morning at Rayerbazar Graveyard for forensic testing.

According to police, this is a significant step towards identifying those who died during last year's anti-discrimination movement.

So far, eleven members of seven families have provided DNA samples to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the hopes of locating the remains of their loved ones.

“It is a huge task to confirm the identity of the July Martyrs to hand them over to their family members,” Special Police Super of the CID (media) Md Jasim Uddin Khan said on Monday.

On Sunday, two bodies were removed from the grave for DNA testing and post-mortem examinations. Later, the bodies were reburied with proper respect.

The CID official confirmed that DNA samples from four bodies were collected, and post-mortems were carried out today.

International forensic expert Louis Fondebrider and a team of forensic anthropologists are in charge of the large-scale operation.

The CID's crime scene unit has set up specialised tents and equipment inside the cemetery to make the sensitive work easier.

The initiative follows a court order issued by Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman on August 4th.

The court order was issued in response to a petition filed by Sub-Inspector Mahidul Islam of Mohammadpur Police Station seeking exhumation of the bodies for legal and identification purposes.

The petition emphasised the importance of exhumation in conducting proper post-mortem examinations, collecting DNA samples, and ensuring the bodies are legally and accurately identified.

Authorities have assured that once identification is confirmed, the bodies will be returned to their families and reburied with dignity.

The process is critical in ensuring justice, accountability, and recognition for those who gave their lives during the July Uprising.