DHAKA: Veteran politician, freedom fighter and former BNP Secretary-General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan breathed his last on Tuesday midnight in the capital’s Square Hospital at the age of 67.
After four largely attended janaza prayers for him—two in the capital and another two at his village—he was buried at a place in-between his home and the government college he established at village Dhanua in Shibpur Upazila.
He was laid to eternal rest in the evening with full state honours, as thousands of people from all walks of life saw him off in tears.
The duty doctor at the Square Hospital declared him dead at 12:01 on Tuesday night, dropping the curtain on his long active political career that dates back to his association with populist leader late Maulana Bhashani.
Health conditions of Bhuiyan turned critical at around 11 pm Monday. “His hands and legs became cold, heart was not receiving oxygen while blood pressure dropped,” said his personal physician Dr. Gani.
As Mannan Bhuiyan`s death news spread after midnight Tuesday, his family members, relatives, well-wishers, politicians and people from all strata rushed to the hospital to have a last glimpse of the popular leader.
BNP Vice-chairman and Mayor of Dhaka Sadek Hossain Khoka was the first among the BNP leaders to visit the hospital.
Opposition leader and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed her deep shock and sorrow at the sad demise of her party`s former secretary general.
In the morning, his body was taken to his Gulshan residence. Political leaders of different parties, including BNP Standing Committee member M K Anwar, Rashed Khan Menon MP and Hasanul Haq Inu MP, visited his home to pay him their last respects.
MK Anwar MP said Bhuiyan dedicated his whole life to the politics of peoples` welfare.
JSD president Hasanul Haq Inu MP also paid tribute to the late leader, saying: "Mannan Bhuiyan had played a significant role at different junctures of national history, including the war of independence and democratic movements."
His first namaj-e-janaza was held at the South Plaza of Parliament while the second Janaza took place at Baitul Mokahram National mosque after Zohr prayers.
After the funerals in the capital, his body was taken to his village home in Shibpur upazilla of Narsingdi district on his last ride home.
Senior Correspondent of banglanews24.com.bd Mannan Maruf from Shibpur reported that when his body reached his native place, people by the thousand came to pay their respects for the last. Black flags were hoisted atop the schools, colleges and shops in the areas.
Thousands of people joined his Janaza following a commemorating discussion over the very popular former minister.
He was buried at Dhanua of Shibpur Upazila following the decision of his wife, son and local leaders.
Earlier it was announced that he would be buried in the family graveyard at his village Masimpur. People of two villages of Shibpur Upazila engaged in a row trying to play host for the late leader through his burial at their respective village.
Villagers of Masimpur wanted the burial at his family graveyard. On the other hand, Kala Mia, a close aide to Mannan Bhuiyan, demanded the burial at Dhanua. Villagers locked into altercation on Wednesday morning over the matter.
Suffering from lung cancer, the former minister was earlier taken to Singapore on May 31 for treatment at Singapore National University Hospital.
BDST: 1945 HRS, JULY 28, 2010.
