Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Jatiyo Party Chairman Hussein Muhammad Ershad was laid to eternal rest on Tuesday (Jul 16) at his “Palli Nibas” residence compound in the city with full state honour.
Earlier, the body of former President Ershad was taken to ‘Palli Nibas’ after his fourth and last Namaz-e-Janaza held at Collectorate Eidgah ground with participation of hundreds of thousands of people after the Zohr prayers at 2.30 p.m.
Members of Bangladesh Army from Rangpur Cantonment draped the coffin of General Ershad, also a former Chief of Army Staff, with National Flag and Flag of Bangladesh Army and put all badges of ranks and caps at ‘Palli Nibas’ compound.
A smart contingent of Bangladesh Army gave a guard of honour to Ershad and observed a one-minute silence there to complete formalities for burial of the former Army Chief with full state honour.
Later, the body of Ershad was laid to eternal rest at the grave on his ‘Palli Nibas’ residential compound around 5.45 p.m., local media reported.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, MP, Acting Chairman of Jatiyo Party Golam Mohammad Quader, MP, its Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, Anisul Islam Mahmud, MP, Abu Hossain Babla, MP, Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu, Rangpur Area Commander and General Officer Commanding of 66 Infantry Division Major General Md. Nazrul Islam, City Mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, central and local leaders of Jatiyo Party, among others, attended the burial process.
Later, members of Bangladesh Army handed over all rank badges and caps of deceased former Chief of Army Staff General Ershad to his younger brother Golam Mohammad Quader.
Earlier, leaders, workers and supporters of Jatiyo Party from Rangpur and Rajshahi divisions participated in the biggest ever Namaz-e-Janaza of Ershad held at Collectorate Eidgah ground in the city.
Leaders of Bangladesh Awami league, its associate bodies, BNP, Jashod, Zaker Party, other political parties and thousands of common people participated in the Namaz-e-Janaza.
Earlier, the body of Ershad was flown to Rangpur from Dhaka around 11.50 a.m. and his coffin draped with the National Flag was taken to the Collectorate Eidgah ground at 12.25 p.m.
Before his last Namaz-e-Janaza, a smart contingent of Rangpur Metropolitan Police forces gave a guard of honour to Ershad and bugle played the last post there.
Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, officials of the divisional and district administrations, Rangpur Range of Bangladesh Police, RMP, RAB-13, leaders of Jatiyo Party, Awami league and other political parties placed wreathes on his coffin.
Acting Chairman of Jatiyo Party Golam Mohammad Quader, MP, its Secretary General Mashiur Rahman Ranga, MP, City Mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, among others, addressed the pre-Namaz-e-Janaza ceremony.
Imam of Rangpur City Corporation Jam-e-Mosque Moulana Mohammad Idris Ali conducted the last Namaz-e-Janaza.
After Namaz-e-Janaza, the body of Ershad was taken to ‘Polli Nibas’ compound at Darshona area of the city for burial as per changed decision of his family members and Jatiya Party following demand of the local leaders of the party.
Earlier, three separate Namaz-e-Janazas of Ershad were held at Dhaka Cantonment’s Central Mosque, South Plaza of Jatiyo Sangsad and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Jul 14 and Jul 15.
Ershad died at the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka on Sunday (Jul 14) at the age of 89.
