DNA samples from 20 bodies, found in the Kedar valley have been matched with the DNA of family members who had lost their kin in the June 2013 disaster here, said State Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sidhu on Monday.
The police had collected around 600 DNA samples from bodies found in the Kedar valley in the last one year and around 200 members of families, who had lost their loved ones in the disaster, had also given their DNA sample to the police in the hope of knowing the fate of their family members.
A year after the Kedarnath tragedy that left thousands dead and many missing, the DNA profiles of 20 victims have been matched with relatives who had earlier given blood samples to the Uttarakhand Government.
The tests were carried out at the Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, where remains from 600 Kedarnath tragedy victims were sent for DNA identification and matching, added the DGP.
Sidhu further said that the reports are yet to be received from the Hyderabad lab, but it is an important development for the bereaved family members and everyone involved in the search operation. The relatives will be informed once reports are received, he added.
last year, the Uttarakhand Government had organised a mass cremation in the Kedarnath region of the disaster victims’ bodies and results of the DNA matching brings about a closure for those whose dear ones went missing during the disaster in June 2013.
Sidhu further said that bodies in the Kedar valley were first checked and belongings like wallets, rings, shoes, slippers and other things were collected from the site.
A small portion of their skin was taken from the body for the DNA profiling before cremation. The DNA reports of the 20 cases will soon reach Dehradun, he added.
The DGP further said that the skeletal remains of 41 persons were cremated after collecting their DNA samples in the Kedar valley by the special task force teams during recent combing operation.
About 15 days ago, a combing operation was launched to look for the remains of people who went missing during last year’s disaster. This operation would continue till the arrival of monsoon in the State.
The three teams consisting of around 12 State Disaster Response Force personnel, mountaineers and Uttarakhand police are conducting the combing operation.
The team had discovered six skeletons on June 11, 20 on June 13, nine on June 14, two on June 15 and four skeletons on June 16. Before cremating the skeletal remains their photographs and DNA samples were taken by the team, said the DGP.