The Hindu : National : Bone samples indicate 10 bodies were in mass grave

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Friday, Jan 06, 2006

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Bone samples indicate 10 bodies were in mass grave

Special Correspondent

Collection continues, number could go up

AHMEDABAD: Bone samples collected from the mass grave allegedly containing the bodies of victims of the Pandarvada communal riots indicate that at least 10 bodies were dumped in the pit.

The collection of samples, which began on Wednesday, is expected to continue for some more time.

"Illegal digging"

With the recovery of eight skulls from the pit during the "illegal digging" by the relatives of the "missing" riot victims with the help of the Mumbai-based Citizens for Justice and Peace, it was presumed that eight bodies were dumped in the grave.

But after piecing together various bone samples, the CBI team has reportedly concluded that no less than 10 bodies were buried in the grave and the number could go up further.

Neither representatives of the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) nor relatives of the victims, against whom the Lunavada municipality filed a police complaint for alleged illegal digging of the grave, could be present during the collection of samples as required by a Gujarat High Court order.

The CJP Ahmedabad convenor, Raees Khan, who was present during the alleged illegal digging last week, and 10 of the victims' relatives have gone underground to evade arrest.

Mr Khan, who, however, could be contacted on his mobile phone, said he and the relatives would move the Godhra Sessions Court on Friday to file bail applications.

Some relatives of the riot victims agreed to give blood samples on Thursday after Mr. Khan persuaded them to do so.

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