A guard of honour is given to veteran journalist and freedom fighter Nirmal Sen as his body was brought to the Central Shaheed Minar on Thursday. — New Age photo

The body of journalist and politician Nirmal Sen was handed over to  Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University authorities on Thursday after public viewing at the office of his political party, Democratic Revolutionary Party, on the Topkhana Road.
Nirmal Sen died in LabAid Hospitals on Tuesday after suffering from pneumonia.
The acting Democratic Revolutionary Party president Siddiqur Rahman, general secretary Mushrefa Mishu, central leader Mosaddek Hossain Swapan and others placed wreaths on the coffin at the party office.
Leaders and activists of front organisations of the party placed wreaths on the coffin.
The body was then taken to the National Press Club where leaders of the Press Club, factions of the Dhaka Union of Journalists and the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists, Reporter’s Unity and Sub-Editors Council paid their last respect.
The body was then taken to the Central Shaheed Minar where people from all walks of life paid their tribute to the late leader.
Leaders and activist of his party and the family conducted the programme.
Leaders of the ruling Awami League, the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Gana Sanghati Andolan, Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, Samyabadi Dal, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Communist League, Ganatantri Party, Jatiya Mukti Council and their front organisations and socio-cultural organisations placed wreaths on the coffin.
Left politicians Rashed Khan Menon, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Khalequzzaman, Shirin Akhter, Saiful Huq and Zonayed Saki, journalist Kamal Lohani and others spoke at the place.
Executive magistrate Mamatajuddin, on behalf of the deputy commissioner of Dhaka, paid state honours to Nirmal Sen as one of the organisers of the war of independence.
The body was handed over to the BMSSU authorities according to his last wish.