The last rites of former Assam Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Tarun Gogoi were performed with state honours on Thursday after three days of state mourning.
Gogoi's son, Gaurav Gogoi, a Lok Sabha member lit the funeral pyre at Nabagraha crematorium as thousands including dignitaries paid their last tributes.
The funeral procession with Gogoi's mortal remains began on Thursday morning from Sankardeb Kalakshetra, a cultural centre in Guwahati, where his body was kept for viewing since Tuesday morning. The mortal remains were first taken to his official residence. Then it was taken to a church at Six Mile in Guwahati, then to one at Naamghar at Zoo Road after which he was taken to Burha Jame Masjid at Ambari and then to Ugratara temple near Latasil before his cremation at the crematorium. This was done as per the final wish of the former Chief Minister.
Gogoi, 86, who served as Chief Minister for the three consecutive terms between 2001 and 2016 passed away on November 23 evening during treatment for post-Covid-19 complications. Gogoi tested Covid-19 positive on August 25 and was discharged from hospital after two months. But he had to be again hospitalised due to post-Covid-19 complications.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha six times and also served as union minister of state for food processing under PV Narasimha Rao. He was an MLA from Titabor in upper Assam till his death. Gogoi lost power to BJP and its allies in 2016.
After the last rites, Gaurav said ashes of his father would be sent to his hometown Titabor and subsequently to other parts of the state to allow general people to pay their tribute to the former Chief Minister.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, besides several other leaders and dignitaries attended the funeral.