The president of the Chittagong city unit of the Awami League (AL) and a former mayor of the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC), ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, died early yesterday (Friday) at a private hospital in the port city. The 73-year-old veteran leader had been suffering from cardiac and kidney complications for a long time and was put on life support at a Chittagong hospital from Thursday evening. Dr Liaqat Ali Khan, managing director of Max Hospital, said, “When Mohiuddin Chowdhury’s condition worsened, he was put on life support. The life support was removed around 3am as he was not responding.”

Osman Gani, the private secretary of Mohiuddin Chowdhury, said the leader was brought to the hospital for routine dialysis. He breathed his last at 3am. Following the death of the popular leader of Chittagong, mourning gripped people from all walks of life, including leaders and activists of the AL and its wings. Hundreds of thousands gathered at his Chasma Hill residence to pay their last respects to their favourite leader. Many were seen weeping.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, AL general secretary and road, transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, CCC mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and leaders of different political parties and organisations expressed their condolences.

He has left behind two sons, three daughters, his wife, relatives and numerous friends, political associates and well-wishers to mourn his death. Following treatment in Singapore and Dhaka, he returned to Chittagong on Tuesday. On November 11, he suffered a mild heart attack. He was also suffering from kidney complications. He was admitted to Max Hospital.

On November 12, he was sent to Dhaka by helicopter and admitted to Square Hospital. On November 16, he was sent to Singapore. At a hospital in Singapore, two rings were placed in his heart. On Thursday, when he felt ill again, he was admitted to Max Hospital, where he breathed his last around 3am.

“He was suffering from cardiac and kidney complications. On Thursday evening, he was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with life support. He breathed his last around 3am at the hospital,” said Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, organising secretary of the AL and a son of the veteran leader.

After Asr prayer, the first Namaz-e-Janaza (the funeral prayer) was held at the historical Laldigi grounds. Thousands, including AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, publications secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, BNP vice-president Abdullah Al Noman and Ctg city BNP leader Dr Shahadat Hossain as well as other political leaders and top administrative officials, attended his funeral prayer.Later, another Namaz-e-Janaza was held in front of the Chasmahill mosque near his residence.

After the funeral prayers, he was buried at his family graveyard at Chasma Hill in the port city. Earlier, his body was kept from 3pm to 3:45pm at the city office of Chittagong city unit of the AL, Darul Fazal Market, for people to pay their last tributes. People from all walks of life including political leaders, civil society members, officials of the local administration and others paid their last tributes to Chowdhury. At 4pm, the veteran freedom fighter was given a guard of honour by the local administration.

Born on December 1, 1944, ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury had served the CCC for 16 years over three terms from 1994 to 2005. However, he was never elected an MP, though he contested the general elections in 1986 and 1991.

He had started his political career early. In 1967, he had completed his graduation and then obtained an MA degree in Islamic Studies from Chittagong University. He had been involved in politics during his college life. He had served as the general secretary of the Bangladesh Chhatra League of Chittagong city in 1968 and 1969. In 1971, he had taken an active part in the Liberation War and formed the Joy Bangla Bahini.