Each layer of soil is peeled up to find comrades
Implementing the "Operation of 500 days and nights to promote the search, repatriation and identification of martyrs' remains", Lao Cai province has organized the exhumation of 28 martyrs' remains in the Da Voi hill area, Group 39, Cam Duong ward.
Previously, based on information provided by some witnesses, through verification, functional forces determined that there may still be martyrs' remains that have not been found in the Da Voi hill area.
From September 3rd to September 13th, Lao Cai province's functional forces organized searches in this area and discovered 28 graves with remains, buried horizontally, about 2.5-3m apart, at a depth of about 1.2m.
At the scene, officers and soldiers performed each stage very carefully. The soil was peeled off layer by layer, and traces were carefully checked. The artifacts found were collected, classified, and preserved to serve later verification.
According to the Lao Cai Provincial Military Command, the Da Voi hill area is identified as having an area to be surveyed of about 4,000m2. However, so far, the forces have only started digging on an area of more than 500m2.
Currently, the forces continue to expand the search scope, carefully reviewing locations that may still have martyrs' remains.
According to the account of some witnesses, on February 25, 1979, in the Da Voi hill area, a unit was ambushed by the enemy. The battle was fierce, and many officers and soldiers sacrificed.
After the enemy withdrew, the unit organized the collection of fallen soldiers and buried them in the Da Voi hill area.
Da Voi Hill is therefore not only a place in the memory of war. Those who fell when they were very young, and then many decades later, comrades and today's generation continue to search.
The current search is continuing from the graves that were discovered earlier. In mid-August, functional forces exhumed 2 graves.
Up to this point, the total number of martyrs' remains found in the Da Voi hill area is 30 graves.
No missing tracks
Directly present at the scene directing the exhumation and repatriation of martyrs' remains on September 13, Mr. Giang Quoc Hung - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Steering Committee for searching for and repatriating martyrs' remains of Lao Cai province - emphasized the determination to perform tasks in the 500-day and night campaign.
According to Mr. Hung, functional forces will continuously perform tasks according to the plan, regardless of holiday or normal day, rainy or sunny day; regularly inspect, urge, and encourage so that the search work can be continuously deployed in the coming time.
At Da Voi hill, groups of officers and soldiers continue their work in the area that has been zoned, not missing traces and related artifacts. Locations with likely remains are reviewed and compared with information from witnesses and historical traces.
Along with searching, functional forces coordinated with local authorities and people to collect and verify more information related to the burial area.
After being exhumed, all martyrs' remains have been moved to a solemn storage place. Functional agencies are continuing to complete dossiers, collect samples for DNA testing, and gradually identify martyrs' identities.
According to the plan, Lao Cai province is expected to organize a provincial-level memorial service and burial at the end of October.
To prepare for this event, agencies and units are implementing plans to receive, wrap up and bury the remains of martyrs, ensuring solemnity and thoughtfulness.
Vice Chairman of Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee Giang Quoc Hung affirmed that the search and repatriation of martyrs' remains is a particularly important task, demonstrating the responsibility, feelings and morality of "When drinking water, remember the source" of the Party Committee, government and people towards those who sacrificed for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland.
Therefore, agencies and units are required to pay the highest attention, organize implementation with a sense of responsibility, caution and high determination.
