The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Syed Ashraf, a former lawmaker, language veteran and former general secretary of National Awami Party (NAP), died of prolonged illness at a city hospital on Saturday night. He was 78, said a press release.

He left behind his wife, only son and a host of relatives and political admirers to mourn his death.

Ashraf, also an organiser of the War of Liberation, served in jail in 1950 and 1952 during the language movement, and also in 1965 for his role in anti-Ayub movement. He was elected member of the provincial assembly from Baufal in 1965.

The first namaj-e-janaza of Syed Ashraf was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad after Zohr prayers yesterday. Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar and leaders of different political parties attended the janaza.

After the janaza, Speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, Khandaker Delwar Hossain on behalf of BNP and Advocate Abdul Hamid on behalf of Awami League placed wreaths at his coffin.

Leaders of different political parties, socio-cultural organisations, professional groups and student orgnisations paid rich tributes to Syed Ashraf when his body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday morning.

Syed Ashraf will be buried at his village Dhulia under Baufal upazila of Patuakhali district today.