Comrade Prasun Kanti Roy, popularly known as Barun Roy, an anti-British movement veteran and organiser of the liberation war, passed away due to old-age ailments at his house at Hasonnagar in Sunamganj yesterday morning at the age of 88.
The veteran politician left behind his wife Shila Roy, a son and a host of relatives, friends and admirers to mourn his death.
His father Karuna Sindhu Roy was also a renowned politician and member of the then Assam Legislative Assembly.
Born in 1921 in a Zaminder family at a remote village in Beheli, Jamalganj, Barun Roy dedicated his life to ensuring welfare of common people.
Barun, who did his BA from Sylhet MC College, was the president of Sylhet district Chhatra Federation in 1947.
He suffered imprisonment several times during the British rule and also during the Pakistan regime.
He was elected a lawmaker in 1954 from Jukta Front and in 1986 from eight-party alliance.
A frontline organiser of the liberation war in 1971, Barun played a major role in the Sylhet region at that time.
Hundreds of people paid their last respects to him when his body was kept at the Sunamganj Shaheed Minar before his cremation at night.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith expressed deep shock at the death of Barun Roy.
In a condolence message, he said Barun played a vital role in all the progressive movements in the country. The nation will remember him forever for his active role in the liberation war.
In another condolence message, Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran said, "We have lost a true friend of the masses. Roy had dedicated his life to the welfare of the poor, especially peasants and fishermen."
Workers Party of Bangladesh, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Gono Forum, 11-party, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Communist Kendra, Sammilito Samajik Andolan, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Ainjibi Samity and Mani Singh-Farhad Smrity Trust also expressed deep shock at the death of the veteran revolutionary leader.