Another challenge for the police after the floods: From the identification of dead bodies to the security of empty houses and the control of misinformation
Kathmandu. Although the floods have stopped, the human pain and challenges left by them have not stopped. Along with the rescue and search campaign, the Nepal Police is now engaged in the difficult responsibility of managing unidentified bodies and human parts, searching for thousands of missing, protecting vacant houses of the displaced people, and controlling crimes and misinformation that may occur in the name of disasters.
After the unprecedented floods, the management of unidentified dead bodies and human parts, identification of missing citizens, security of vacant houses and structures and control of crime and misinformation spreading in the name of disaster have added another big challenge for the Nepal Police. According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Nepal Police, Abinarayan Kafle, the central police spokesperson of Nepal Police, there has been a huge loss of life in the floods. According to him, according to the latest information, more than one thousand bodies have been recovered and hundreds of human organs have been collected from different places. As many bodies are in a mutilated state, it is not possible for the relatives to identify them directly. In a conversation with Nepal News Bank, he said, “This flood came in a very unimaginable and tragic manner. People are missing and a large number of dead bodies and human organs are being found, the Nepal Police expresses deep sorrow over this.
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According to him, the Nepal Police started a rescue and search operation through the local police unit as soon as the initial information about the flood was received. The impact of the disaster was widespread from Timure, Syafrubesi, Mailung, Haku of Rasuwa to Devighat of Nuwakot. Some police units were also out of contact.
After the communication communication was cut off, a special team was mobilized from the Communications Directorate of Nepal Police and the communication service was resumed in the affected areas. According to him, dozens of police personnel were also missing in the initial phase. The bodies of some of them have been recovered and the search for 25 police personnel is underway.
He said, “As soon as the information about the flood was received, the Nepal Police immediately started the rescue and search operation through the local police unit. The flood had a widespread impact from Timure, Syaphrubesi, Mailung, Haku of Rasuwa to Devighat of Nuwakot. Some police units were also incommunicado. After the communication was cut off, we deployed a special team and restored communication services in the affected areas. Dozens of police personnel were also missing in the initial phase, some of whose bodies have been recovered and the search for some is still going on. “
The search for the missing continues
According to the police, thousands of people have been reported missing after the floods. According to the latest data, more than 4,600 people have been reported missing.
Various teams were mobilized by holding an emergency meeting at the police headquarters to make the rescue work effective. After that, a separate structure has been created for disaster rescue, information, coordination and management.
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50 police personnel are working on shifts in the center formed under the leadership of DIG. The center has a separate desk for missing persons, body management, rescue, search, coordination, mobilization and social media monitoring.
He said, “We have collected the details of more than 4,600 people missing after the floods. We held an emergency meeting at the police headquarters and immediately mobilized various teams to make the rescue and search operation effective. At present, the Disaster Rescue, Information, Coordination and Management Center is operational under the leadership of the DIG. About 50 police personnel are deployed on shifts and separate desks are being worked for missing persons, body management, rescue, search, coordination, mobilization and social media monitoring. He said that the rescue operation is being carried out by helicopter in coordination with the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and other security agencies. Kafle said that separate human resources have been mobilized by the police for communication team, drones, trained dogs, medical team and road management.
Identification of mutilated bodies The most difficult task for the police
Many of the bodies swept away by the floods are in a very mutilated state. In some cases, only a part of the body has been found. Even if only someone’s hands, feet, head or other body parts are found, the police have collected them and kept them safe as per the legal process.
As soon as the body is found, the police have made arrangements to collect evidence such as the nature of the incident site, post-mortem record, photo and video records, fingerprints, etc. Each body and human organs are recorded with a separate number and tag.
He said, “Many of the bodies swept away by the floods are in a very mutilated state. In some cases, only a part of the body has been found. We are also collecting such human organs safely after completing the legal process. As soon as the body or organ is found, we have made arrangements to record the incident site and post-mortem post-mortem, photo-videography and necessary evidence by giving each one a separate number and tag. “
After this, DNA samples are being collected and profiled in coordination with forensic doctors and research officers.
According to the police, forensic doctors have been deployed in the flood-affected hospitals. Forensic experts have been mobilized in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Pokhara to identify the bodies.
The police have started collecting DNA samples of the close relatives of the first class to identify the bodies and human organs that could not be identified from the DNA of the relatives
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Arrangements have been made for one of the parents or children to go to the Nepal Police Hospital and give a blood sample. The police said that the process of identifying the DNA collected from the relatives is being done by matching it with the DNA obtained from the dead body.
After DNA matching, the body will be handed over to the concerned family after completing the legal process. After that, the family will be able to perform the last rites according to their religion, traditions, and rituals.
DNA profiling has also been arranged for relatives living abroad. According to the police, arrangements have been made for them to get the DNA test done from the concerned country and coordinate with the Nepal Police through the necessary details and DVI form.
He said, “We are collecting DNA samples of close relatives to identify unidentified bodies and human organs. One of the parents or children can come to the Nepal Police Hospital and give a blood sample. The DNA profile of the sample received from the relatives will be matched with the DNA obtained from the dead body or human organs. After the DNA match, the body will be handed over to the concerned family after completing the necessary legal process. We have also made arrangements for the relatives living abroad to coordinate with the Nepal Police through the DVI form by getting the DNA test done from the concerned country.
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Efforts to preserve both ‘respect’ and ‘identity’ in the management of dead bodies
After the floods, a large number of dead bodies had arrived and more bodies were collected than the capacity of hospitals and mortuaries. According to the police, the situation is to manage the dead bodies in Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu, Pokhara and other places.
Kafle said that the disposal of the dead body was based on international practice, International Committee of the International Council of Red Cross (ICRC) standards and prevailing laws as it could cause decomposition and health and environmental risks due to prolonged keeping.
He said, “Due to the large number of bodies found after the floods, the situation has to be more than the capacity of hospitals and mortuaries. Bodies had to be kept in Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Kapilvastu and Pokhara, among other places. Since keeping dead bodies for a long time can cause decomposition and increase health and environmental risks, we are doing safe and respectful management of bodies based on international practice, ICRC standards and prevailing laws.” “
In some places, the bodies have been safely managed underground. For this, tagging, numbering, site plan and GPS details have also been preserved so that it can be confirmed which bodies are kept where if needed in the future.
According to the police, the main purpose of this project is to protect the identity proof and to create an environment in which the dead body can be easily handed over after completing the legal process if the relatives claim it in the future.
Two forensic laboratories, new structure in Hetauda
Nepal Police Central Police Forensic Science Laboratory and National Forensic Science Laboratory Khumaltar are the main ones for DNA testing. Due to the large number of DNA profiling required, the workload in these laboratories has increased.
Preparations are underway to set up forensic structures at the Bagmati Province Police Office in Hetauda to facilitate this, police said. Kafle said that necessary equipment has been brought and the work of setup and resource management has been started.
He said, “At present, work is being done mainly at the Nepal Police Central Police Forensic Science Laboratory and the National Forensic Science Laboratory, Khumaltar, for DNA testing in Nepal.” Due to the large number of DNA profiling required, the workload in both the laboratories has increased. We are also preparing to set up a forensic structure at the Bagmati Provincial Police Office in Hetauda to facilitate this. The necessary equipment has been brought and the work of setup and resource management is moving forward.
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Preparations are underway to bring in experts from abroad as per the need along with forensic experts available in Nepal to expedite the identification of dead bodies.
Separate coordination from the hospital to the airport
DSP level officers of the police have been appointed as focal persons in various hospitals to coordinate the management of the dead bodies and the injured. According to the police, a help desk has also been set up at the airport under the leadership of the SP.
Rescue and transportation of dead bodies has become challenging as roads and bridges have been washed away in the flood-affected areas. According to the police, dozens of bridges have been washed away and about 50 kilometers of roads have been damaged.
The dead bodies have been brought to Kathmandu and other places through helicopters and alternative routes as there is no road connectivity in some areas.
Vacant house security is also a priority of the police
Houses and structures that have been displaced due to floods have now become another security challenge. According to the police, there is a risk of theft, robbery and other criminal activities in such houses.
For this reason, the search and security monitoring of vacant houses has been started in coordination with the people’s representatives of the local level.
He said, “Many houses have been evacuated after the floods. Keeping in mind the risk of theft and robbery in such houses, we have increased security surveillance by coordinating with the local level and people’s representatives. We have also started the work of searching and inspecting vacant houses. Nepal Police is especially vigilant that no one should be allowed to commit criminal activities in case of disaster. The police have already arrested some people involved in theft and robbery by taking advantage of the disaster. The police said that action has been taken against those involved in the theft of gold from the dead body of the flood, control of the person involved in bank theft and attempt to cheat in the name of relief.
The police are assisting in the implementation of the government’s ‘one-door system’ in relief distribution and the control of misinformation
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Police under the leadership of the Chief District Officer has been mobilized to identify the real victims and provide relief to them in coordination with the District Security Committee, local levels and people’s representatives. Arrangements have been made to send the relief materials collected at the central level to the concerned District Administration Office through the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Meanwhile, the police have also stepped up vigil against rumors, misinformation, misleading news and deepfake content spread through social media. The police have warned that action will be taken as per the law against those who create confusion among the citizens by spreading misinformation during disasters or obstructing relief and rescue operations.
He said, “The police are assisting in coordination and security management to make the one-door system set by the government effective in relief distribution. Arrangements have been made to identify the real victims and provide relief to them by coordinating with the Chief District Officer, local level and people’s representatives.” The relief materials collected centrally are sent to the concerned District Administration Office through the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. We have also increased the monitoring of rumors, misinformation, misleading news and deepfake materials spread through social media. Action will be taken as per the law if any activities are found spreading misinformation or obstructing relief and rescue during a disaster. “
Health risks have increased with the rescue after the floods, police said. Police have urged the government to pay special attention to sanitation and drinking water as the infection can spread through contaminated water, mud and materials swept away by the floods.
Police have urged people to drink boiled water, maintain personal hygiene and avoid using unusual food items found in flood-affected areas.
Police at high risk amid limited resources
The floods have damaged roads, bridges and communication infrastructure, which has also posed a big challenge in police mobilization. However, Kafle said that the police are mobilized in rescue, search, security, dead body management, communication rehabilitation and relief coordination by making maximum use of available resources.
According to him, the risk of floods has not yet completely disappeared. In some areas, there is a large amount of mud, mud and stones, and there is also a risk of flooding again.
“Nepal Police is working day and night in the service of the citizens even in risky situations,” Kafle said, “Efforts are being made to complete the search, rescue and security management as soon as possible from DNA testing of unidentified bodies.” “
With the immediate phase of rescue caused by the floods, the affected families are now facing the challenge of identifying their relatives and handing over the bodies, protecting the displaced settlements and empty houses, delivering relief to the real victims and preventing crimes that may take place in the name of disaster. For the police, this disaster is not a matter of rescue but it has become a multi-dimensional challenge to carry forward human sensitivity, legal process, forensic science, public safety and information management simultaneously.
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