Khoka laid to rest with state honour

The body of BNP vice-chairman and former Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka being taken away after his Namaj-e-Janaza in front of BNP’s central office at Naya Paltan in the city on Thursday — FE photo

Valiant freedom fighter and the last mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation Sadeque Hossain Khoka was laid to rest with state honour at his mother's grave in Jurain graveyard in the city after Maghrib prayers on Thursday, reports UNB.
Relatives and BNP senior leaders, including Mirza Abbas, Abdullah Al Noman and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were, among others, present during the burial.
The last namaz-e-janaza of Khoka, also the BNP vice-chairman, was held at Dhupkhola ground in Gendaria after Asr prayers. Another namaz-e-janaza was held at Brothers' Club ground in Gopibagh around 3:30 pm.
After the namaz-e-janaza at Brothers' Club ground, his body was kept at his house in the Gopibagh area for some time where his relatives, well-wishers and loved ones paid last tribute to him.
In the morning, people from all walks of life thronged the Central Shaheed Minar to pay tribute to Khoka. The mortal remains of the BNP vice-chairman was taken to the Shaheed Minar at 12:10 pm after a namaz-e-janaza at the south plaza of Jatiya Sangsad (JS).
It was kept there until 12:50 pm before being taken to the BNP's Nayapaltan headquarters where another namaz-e-janaza was held around 2pm.
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi and chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki also paid tribute to the freedom fighter.
Current and former MPs, leaders of different political parties and people from all walks of life took part in Khoka's namaz-e-Janaza at the South Plaza of the JS held around 11:15am.
Later, the body of the former mayor was taken to the Nagar Bhaban at 3 pm where DSCC Mayor Sayeed Khokon, all the former and current councillors and officials of the city corporations (DNCC, DSCC) paid rich tribute to Khoka.
Another namaz-e-janaza was held there where Khoka's two sons- Ishraque Hossain and Isfaque Hossain, DSCC councillors, employees and staff were present.
Khoka's body was brought back home in the morning. BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas and Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku received the body at the airport on behalf of the party.
Khoka, also a former minister and MP, is survived by his wife Ismat Ara, daughter Sarika Sadeque, sons Ishraque and Isfaque Hossain. He went to US in 2014 for treatment.