The remains of Harris Chowdhury, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s political secretary and a freedom fighter, was laid to eternal rest at Shafiqul Haque Chowdhury Memorial Orphanage in Kanaighat upazila of Sylhet on Sunday.

The remains of Harris were brought to Sylhet from Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) by an ambulance and kept in front of Sylhet Circuit House in the morning.

Later, the body was taken to Shahi Eidgah Maidan in the city around 2 pm where a munajat was offered for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, daughter of Harris, sought dua for her father from all.

It was not possible to bring the remains of her father to Sylhet during the tenure of the Awami League government and after conducting the DNA test, the remains were brought to Sylhet following the directives of the interim government, she said.

Remains of freedom fighter Harris Chowdhury to be buried in Sylhet on Sunday: Daughter

BNP leaders and activists including BNP chairperson’s advisory council member Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury, assistant organising secretary of Sylhet unit BNP Miftah Siddiquee, acting president of city unit BNP Rezaul Hasan and district unit BNP general secretary Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury were present.

The former BNP leader died on September 3 in 2021 but was buried under the name Professor Mahmudur Rahman on the premises of Jamiah Khatamunnabiyyin Madrasa in Birulia of Savar due to alleged persecution and threats from the then ruling Awami League.

Later, following a High Court order, the remains were exhumed from the graveyard while the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) collected DNA samples for verification and preserved it in the DMCH’s morgue.

After DNA testing confirmed the identity of the remains as Harris Chowdhury, the HC ordered the body to be taken and buried as per the family’s wishes.