Communist leader Abani Lahiri passes away

New Delhi, Mar 22: Veteran Communist leader and freedom fighter Abani Lahiri died here yesterday ( Mar 22, 2006) after a prolonged illness.

He was 89.

Mr Lahiri, who was one of the leaders of the heroic Tebhaga peasant movement in undivided Bengal, died at a private hospital following multi-organ failure, his family said.

He was admitted to hospital on March 13. The end came at 2300 hrs yesterday, said his daughter Krishna Majumdar, an office-bearer of the National Federation of Indian Women.

Mr Lahiri's body was donated to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences this morning as laid down in his will so it could be used for medical research.

A freedom fighter who spent several years in jails during the British Raj, he was one of the founder directors of the Joshi- Adhikari Institute that has been undertaking research on various social, political and economic issues.

Mr Lahiri is survived by his daughters Krishna and Apala.

Communist Party of India General Secretary A B Bardhan and National Secretary D Raja visited Mr Lahiri's home to pay their last respects to the veteran leader.

UNI