Four more July Uprising victims exhumed on 2nd day for identification

Authorities exhumed four more unidentified bodies of July Uprising victims from the Rayerbazar Graveyard today (8 December), marking the second day of the ongoing process to identify those killed during last year's uprising. 

With these latest exhumations, a total of six bodies have so far been recovered for DNA sampling and autopsy, according to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

CID officials said the bodies were carefully exhumed and examined at a temporary forensic laboratory set up on-site. After DNA samples were collected and post-mortem procedures completed, the bodies were reburied following established protocols.

Yesterday (7 December), the identification effort formally began with the exhumation of two bodies out of the 114 unidentified victims buried at Rayerbazar after the July 2024 mass uprising. CID chief Additional IGP Mohammad Shibgat Ullah inaugurated the operation, stressing that every step, from exhumation to reburial, would follow strict international standards.

He said the entire process is being conducted in line with the Minnesota Protocol, ensuring lawful and scientifically robust handling of human remains. "We have trained all partner agencies, including city corporation workers, forensic experts, Dhaka Medical personnel, DMP, and the divisional administration, so each stage proceeds according to protocol," he added.

The operation is being led by renowned forensic expert Dr Luis Fondebrider, who is supervising the exhumations, autopsies, and DNA collection procedures.

On the first day, 11 family members from seven families, who lost relatives during the July uprising, provided DNA samples at the CID office. However, no new families came on the second day, officials confirmed.

CID Special Superintendent (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan told The Business Standard that although the first day progressed slowly due to initial procedural setup, the pace improved significantly on the second day. Still, he noted, each exhumation is time-intensive. 

"Given the careful forensic procedures involved, it may not be possible to exhume more than four to five bodies per day," he said.

He added that DNA profiles extracted from the exhumed bodies will be matched at CID's laboratory to help identify the victims, after which their remains can be handed over to their families.

The 114 unidentified victims of the July uprising were buried at Mohammadpur's Rayerbazar Graveyard last year. On 4 August this year, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman ordered the exhumation of these bodies in response to a petition from Mohammadpur Police Sub-Inspector Mahidul Islam, who argued that proper legal steps, including autopsy and DNA sampling, were essential for future identification and the eventual return of remains to families.

The exhumation and identification process will continue in phases over the coming days.