ZCZC
BSS-67
KAMAL-LOHANI-BURIAL
Kamal Lohani laid to rest in Sirajganj
DHAKA, June 20, 2020 (BSS) – Ekushey Padak winning noted Journalist
Kamal Lohani was laid to rest with state honour at his family
graveyard at Ullapara in Sirajganj tonight.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Overall) Firoz Mahmud told BSS that
an ambulance carrying Kamal Lohani’s body reached his Santala village
at Ullapara around 9:15 pm and he was buried there maintaining proper
health rules after a Namaz-e-Janaza.
Before the burial, his body was covered with the national flag and a
guard of honor was given to him by the Sirajganj district
administration, said.
Local lawmaker Tanveer Imam along with Muktijoddha Sangsad, Press
Club and Upazila administration paid their last respect to him.
Later, he was buried on the grave of his wife Dipti Lohani next to
the grave of his mother Rokeya Khan Lohani at 9.50 pm, the additional
deputy commissioner said.
Earlier, his body was taken to the Udhichi central office on
Topkhana Road in the city this afternoon, said Kamal Lohani’s son
Sagar Lohani, adding that his first Namaz-e-Janaza was held there.
Noted cultural personality and veteran freedom fighter Kamal Lohani
breathed his last at the age of 86 this morning while undergoing
treatment at Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital in the
city.
He had been suffering from lung and kidney related complications for
long and had also heart and diabetic problems for long.
He was tested positive for coronavirus and it was confirmed on
Friday, said his daughter Bannya Lohani.
On June 17, he was admitted to Health and Hope Hospital following
his physical condition was deteriorated. Later, he was shifted to
Sheikh Russel Gastro Liver Institute and Hospital where he was
undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.
Kamal Lohani is survived by a son, two daughters and a host of relatives.
President M Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Speaker
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury expressed deep shock and sorrow at his
death.
He was widely known as Kamal Lohani, but his official name was Abu
Nayeem Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Khan Lohani.
He was born at Khan Santala village under Ullapara upazila of
Sirajganj district on June 26 in 1934. His father’s name was Abu
Yousuf Mohammad Musa Khan and mother’s name was Rokeya Khan Lohani.
Kamal Lohani started his journalistic carrier through the daily
Millat. Then he worked for Daily Azad, Sangbad, Purbo Desh and Dainik
Barta. He was president of the undivided Dhaka Union of Journalists
(DUJ).
Lohani was also president of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, the
largest anti-communal, progressive and voluntary organization of the
country, and general secretary of Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyatan.
He was also Director General (DG) of the Shilpakala Academy for two times.
He got the prestigious ‘Ekushey Padak’ for his contribution to
Journalism in 2015.
BSS/MSH/SRH/MRU/2333hrs