Bodies of 114 July Uprising martyrs to be exhumed for identification on Sunday

The bodies of 114 unidentified martyrs of the July uprising will be exhumed on Sunday, December 6, from the capital’s Rayerbazar graveyard for identification through DNA testing.

CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the development, saying a CID team will begin work at the site on Sunday morning. “After the bodies are exhumed, autopsies and DNA samples will be collected. The bodies will then be reburied with proper procedures,” he said.

Before the exhumation begins, CID Chief Md Sibgat Ullah will brief the media at the graveyard adjacent to the Rayerbazar Memorial. 

Forensic expert Louis Fondebrider, along with a forensic anthropologist and other forensic consultants, is expected to be present.

According to officials, the burial area has been demarcated and specially reinforced with marble stones and tiles under the City Corporation’s initiative. Tents have also been erected at the site to facilitate the recovery and examination process.

On August 4, Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman ordered the exhumation following a police application submitted by Mohammadpur Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Mahidul Islam.