Dozens of martyrs' remains are believed to be buried in the courtyard of the Hiệp Đức commune Party committee office and at nearby Dốc Chùa in An Đông village, Tuổi Trẻ reported on October 20. The commune has asked the Local Military Command to complete records on the graves.
Hiệp Đức People's Committee chairman Lưu Hoàng Ân said at an October 19 workshop with witnesses and historical sources that there was enough basis to determine that the courtyard, at 127 Hùng Vương, was formerly Hố Bà Lâu, a deep pit. The commune said the pit was used by opposing forces during the American War to bury many soldiers of the 2nd Division, and that revolutionary fighters and activists were also killed or tortured there.
Tuổi Trẻ lists six martyrs killed in a 1960 battle, two underground revolutionaries captured, tortured and killed in 1960, and four others buried in the area before 1960. A further 68 martyrs died in fighting from April 26 to 30, 1970 involving three units of the 2nd Division, and about 45 of their remains have not been recovered.
The commune plans to work with the Da Nang Military Command and Military Region 5 to survey the area with ground-penetrating radar and produce maps and site plans. It also plans field surveys, searches, recovery and excavation, and aims to speed up the administrative steps needed before exhumation.
Officials are seeking more witnesses who know the burial locations, as part of the "500 Days and Nights" campaign. Residents can contact the commune, the Da Nang Military Command or local government or military offices.
Sources
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