Dhaka: Versatile writer Syed Shamsul Haque was buried on the Kurigram Govt College premises in his birthplace Kurigram on Wednesday as per his last wish.

The eminent writer was buried at about 5:00pm after his third namaz-ejanaz on Kurigram Govt College ground.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak were, among others, present during his burial.

After two namaz-e-janazas in the capital, his body was flown to Kurigram by an Air Force helicopter in the afternoon, reports UNB.

Earlier in the day, people from all walks of life thronged the central Shaheed Minar in the capital to pay their last tributes to 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 writer by placing wreathes on his coffin.

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 at about 11:00am.

Earlier, his body was taken to Bangla Academy after his first namaz-e-janaza on Channel I premises at about 10:05am.

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.

Prime Minister’s deputy press secretary Mahbubul Haqueue Shakil and her military secretary Major General Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin paid tributes on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the writer by placing a wreath on his coffin.

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 at about 1:35pm.

‘We’ve lost our shining star from Bangla literature. An era of pride has gone with his death. But I don’t think his death does not mean ending of everything,’ said noted cultural activist Ramendu Majumder while talking to reporters at the Shaheed Minar.

Born on 27 December 1935 in Kurigram, Haque became 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.

Deputy Commissioner of Kurigram Md 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.