Condolences pour in for Annisul

DNCC cleaners on December 3, 2017, work an hour of overtime commemorating the demise of Mayor Annisul Huq. File photo

Tributes and condolences continue to pour in for Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq, who breathed his last at a London hospital on Thursday.

Immediately after his demise, people from all walks of life started expressing shocks at the death of once popular television personality and business icon.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of DNCC mayor, reports BSS.

In a condolence message, the president said, “The nation has lost an eminent businessman and a successful industrialist…His death is really an irreparable loss for the country.”

He prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

In her condolence message, the prime minister recalled the contributions of Annisul Huq to the development of the city. She said Annisul took many epoch-making steps for the welfare of the people. “He will be ever remembered...”

The nation has lost a dedicated and popular public representative, she said. She also prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Expressing deep shock at the death, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in a message also recalled the contributions of the mayor.

In his condolence message, Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus said Annisul was truly a people person. He was unique -- hard working, dedicated and energetic. There was much left for him to contribute.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokon could not stop his tears while talking to journalists at his Banani residence yesterday.

“We shared a close bond and used to talk frankly about the development of the city. His various initiatives for the city also inspired me. I never thought he would leave us this way,” said a DSCC press release quoting Khokon.

Deputy leader of parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Opposition Leader Rawshan Ershad, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed,  Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan, Workers Party of Bangladesh President and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon in separate messages expressed deep shock at the death of the mayor.

Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad, former President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rob) President ASM Abdur Rob also expressed their condolences.

Besides, political parties, social, cultural and business organisations also expressed condolences.

With the demise of Annisul, the country not only lost a successful entrepreneur, but also a social worker, a patriot and a soul close to the people, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said in a press release.

The nation will remember his contributions as he has accomplished the promises within a short period of time as a mayor, the release added.

Nagar Unnayan Sangbadik Forum, Bangladesh President Amitosh Pal and its General Secretary Abdul Matin in a statement expressed their deep sorrow over the mayor's demise.

Tributes and condolences also poured in on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter from all corners of the country.