Abul Matin and other language movement veterans pay tribute to their departed fellow hero Gaziul Haque at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday.Photo: STAR

Gaziul Haque, a language movement veteran and freedom fighter, was laid to rest with state honour at his family graveyard at Sultanganj Para in Bogra yesterday.
Earlier, his namaz-e-janaza was held at Altafunessa playground in the town. His body was also kept at the Shaheed Minar for the people to pay their last respects, reports our staff correspondent in Bogra.
Gaziul Haque passed away at the Sqaure Hospital in Dhaka on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. His body was taken to Bogra yesterday afternoon.
In the morning, his body was kept at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka after his first namaz-e-janaza was held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 10:00am.
People from all walks of life thronged the Shaheed Minar to pay their last respects to the language movement veteran.
Cabinet members, educationists, politicians, teachers, students, writers, litterateurs and other professionals placed wreaths on his coffin.
On behalf of President Zillur Rahman, his Military Secretary Maj Gen M Ehtesham Ul Haq and on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Military Secretary Brig Gen Md Salahuddin Miaji placed wreaths at the coffin of the language hero.
"The country has lost not only a language movement veteran but also a person who fought for the rights of people," said Abdul Matin, another language movement veteran.
In a condolence message, President Zillur Rahman expressed his deep shock, saying that the death of Gaziul Haque is an irreparable loss to the nation.
"He played a significant role in all democratic movements, being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation," the president said.
In a similar message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the death of "the great patriotic educationist and intellectual is an irreparable loss to the nation."
In another message, leader of the Opposition in Parliament and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said the nation will forever remember the outstanding role of Gaziul Haque in building the nation.
In a statement, Home Minister Sahara Khatun said Gaziul Haque also dedicated his life to establishing democracy in the country.
In separate statements, State Minister for Foreign affairs Hasan Mahmud and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arafin Sidique recalled the contribution of the language movement veteran and said the nation would remember him forever with heartfelt respect.
Meanwhile, different political, social and cultural organisations expressed deep condolence at the death of the language movement veteran.
The organisations include Forum for Secular Bangladesh, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Sammilita Ainjibi Somonnoy Parishad, Gono Forum, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Gonotrantik Bam Morcha, Bangladesh Samajtrantik Dal, Jatiya Samajtrantik Dal (JSD), Udichi Shilpa Gosthi, Karmaojibi Nari, Ain O Salish Kendro, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Dhaka University Teachers' Association, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jot, Bangabandhu Lekhok Parishad, National Awami Party (NAP), Revolutionary Workers party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh LLB Lawyers Association, Dakkhin Bangla Jubo Kallayan Samity, Jatiya Gonotrantik League, Bangladesh Nari Mukti Andolon and Gonotrantik Ainjibi Samity.