The body of President Zillur Rahman who died on Wednesday at Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Hospital was taken to the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.
The President’s mortal remains will remain at the mortuary of the hospital overnight.
A pickup van covered with the national flag and flowers came out of Bangabhaban at about 5:.30 pm and reached the CMH at 5.45pm.
Earlier, a special flight of Bangladesh Biman carrying the President’s mortal remains landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:55am.
Adjutant General Ashraf Abdullah Yusuf received the President’s body draped with the national flag at about 12:10pm.
Later, acting President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths on the coffin of the President kept on a podium at the airport at12:16pm. State salute was given to the late president.
Later, the President’s body was taken to Bangabhaban around 1.05pm.
Hundreds of people standing on both sides of the Airport Road showed their respect to the late President when his body was being taken to Bangabhaban from the airport.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a guard of honour to the president on Bangabhaban lawn around 1:10pm while bugle played on the last post.
Later, acting president Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the chiefs of the three services paid their homage to the President by placing wreaths on his coffin.
Cabinet members and central leaders of the ruling Awami League and family members of the President were present on the occasion.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia paid her last tribute to the President at Bangabhaban at 2:05 pm.
Besides, Chief Justice M Muzammel Hossain, former president HM Ershad, cabinet members, politicians, freedom fighters, diplomats and different government and army officials paid their homage to the President by placing wreaths on his coffin until 5:30pm at the Bangabhaban.
The President’s remains will be flown to Bhairab upazila in Kishoreganj district on Friday morning where his first namaz-e-janaza will be held at 9am.
Later, the body will be taken back to Bangabhaban for foreign guests and diplomats to pay their last respect at 12:30 pm.
His second namaz-e-janaza will be held at the National Eidgah at 2:30 pm.
Zillur will be laid to eternal rest at Banani Graveyard at 4pm.
Meanwhile, a three-day national mourning is being observed at the death of the President from Thursday. The national flag flying at half-mast atop government and semi-government offices across the country and Bangladesh missions abroad.
A pall of gloom descended at the airport as family members of the late President burst into tears.
The Prime Minister who herself was in tears consoled two daughters of the late President.
Source: UNB Connect
