Dhaka: People from all walks of life thronged at the central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on Wednesday to pay their last tributes to versatile writer Syed Shamsul Haque.

Hundreds of people, including politicians, cultural personalities and activists, students and teachers, flocked to the Shaheed Minar and bade farewell to the eminent writer by placing wreathes on his coffin, reports UNB.

The coffin of the veteran writer, who died at a city hospital on Tuesday at the age of 81 after suffering from lung cancer, was brought to the Shaheed Minar in the morning.

President Abdul Hamid paid his tribute by placing a wreath on the coffin of the legendary writer at about 11:25am.

Later, he talked to Syed Haque’s wife Anwara Syed Haque, son Ditio Syed-Haque and daughter Bidita Sadi, and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was also beside the president during the moment.

Haque’s body was taken to his birthplace, Kurigram, following a namaz-e-janaja at the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Later, he will be buried on the Kurigram Govt College premises as per his last wish which he made last year during a reception at the college.

Born on 27 December 1935 at Kurigram, Haque has become one of the country’s leading poets and playwrights, and earned the title of ‘versatile writer’ for his equal mastery over essay, novel, poetry, and play.

UNB Kurigram correspondent reports: Necessary preparations have been taken for the burial of the writer.

His namaz-e-janaza will be held at Kurigram College ground at about 4:00pm.

Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Nurul Amid said Syed Shamsul Haque expressed his desire to be buried on a land adjacent to Kurigram Government College when he attended a programme of the college as the chief guest this year.