RANGPUR, Feb 26, 2018 (BSS) – Former Mayor of Rangpur and Freedom Fighter Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu was laid to eternal rest this evening at Nurpur graveyard in the city with full state honours.
Jhantu was buried beside the graves of his father Mohiuddin Ahmed and mother Zobeda Khatun there.
A career politician Jhantu, also an advisory council member of district AL, died at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital in Dhaka at 3.30 pm on Sunday.
He was 66.
He left behind wife and only son to mourn his death, family members said.
Earlier, Jhantu was flown to the capital city by air ambulance from Rangpur on February 1 last following a brain hemorrhage.
Later, Jhantu was admitted to the BSMMU and he was put there at the ICU in critical conditions under life support where he breathed his last.
A pall of gloom descended among the political leaders and activists of all parties, freedom fighters, business community leaders, professionals, socio-cultural activists and elite of the city following the death of the popular politician.
The first Namaz-E-Janaza of Jhantu was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka this morning with participation of the Ministers, Chief Whip, Whips, Parliament Members and the leaders of AL and its associate bodies.
A guard of honour was given there to the valiant freedom fighter by a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Police.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to former mayor of Rangpur and valiant freedom fighter Sarfuddin Ahmed Jhantu.
The Prime Minister paid the homage by placing a wreath on the coffin of Jhantu, also an ex-parliament member, at the South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Jhantu. Flanked by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the AL President, placed another wreaths on his coffin on behalf of the party.
Later, the body of Jhantu was flown to Rangpur at 1 pm by a helicopter from Dhaka and taken to his Guptapara residence where hundreds of common people thronged to show last respect.
In the afternoon, the body was taken to the Police Lines School and College ground where a smart contingent of police forces gave a guard of honour and bugle played the last post before his second Namaz-E-Janaza held there at 5.25 pm after the Asr prayers.
Hundreds of common people, freedom fighters, political leaders and activist, officials, educationists, students, youths, socio-cultural and human rights activities and professionals participated in the Janaza.
Reaz Ahmed Emon- only son of Jhantu, Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Wahiduzzaman, Police Super Mizanur Rahman, District Muktijoddha Commander Mosaddek Hossain Bablu, General Secretary of district AL Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, city AL President Shafiur Rahman Shafi and city BNP President Mozaffar Hossain addressed a brief discussion on Jhantu before the Janaza.
His coffin was draped with the National Flag and hundreds of organisations including district and police administrations, Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad, political parties, socio-cultural, professional and many organizations placed wreaths on his coffin after the second Namaz-E-Janaza.
Later, the body of Jhantu was taken to Nurpur graveyard and laid to eternal rest there at 6.50 pm.
Vice-chancellor of Begum Rokeya University Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, District Command of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad, leaders of different political parties, Rangpur Chamber, Amra Muktijoddhar Santan and different socio-cultural and professional organisations expressed their deep shock at the death of Jhantu.
They conveyed their deep sympathy to the members of the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of the veteran politician.