The bodies of 114 unidentified individuals killed during the July uprising will be exhumed from the mass grave at Rayerbazar Cemetery in Dhaka for DNA testing and identification.
The announcement was made by Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury during a visit to the site on Saturday morning.
Earlier in the day, the adviser also visited Mohammadpur Police Station.
Speaking to reporters at the Rayerbazar cemetery, the home adviser said, “If the families of the martyrs wish, they can bury the bodies at a location of their choice. Previously, the families were not willing to have the bodies exhumed, which is why the process was delayed. Now that they have agreed, we are taking the necessary steps.”
Following prayers at the mass grave, he added, “More than a year has passed since the uprising, and many families have not yet been able to identify their loved ones. Although the government had initiated plans for exhumation, family consent was not previously granted.”
He further stated that he and Adviser Adilur Rahman recently visited Munshiganj and spoke with the families of some of the deceased. “They have now given their consent, and we will begin the process soon. Each body will be identified one by one. Families will be allowed to take the bodies if they choose.”
“There are still 114 bodies buried in the Rayerbazar mass grave that remain unidentified. With family consent, we will exhume them, conduct post-mortems and DNA tests, and then hand them over,” said the adviser.
He also issued a stern warning, saying that those responsible for creating the mass graves would be held accountable. “Everyone involved in these burials will be brought to justice,” he said.
Separately, during his visit to Mohammadpur Police Station, the adviser addressed reports of secret meetings by the banned political party Awami League.
“Covert meetings by the outlawed Awami League will not disrupt law and order. Any attempt at sabotage will be dealt with firmly,” he said.
He also emphasized that any members of the security forces found to be involved in destabilizing activities would face consequences. “No matter which force or individual is involved, action will be taken,” he added.
