Freedom fighter, journalist Mahtab Uddin passes away

Freedom fighter and eminent journalist Mahtab Uddin passed away in Dhaka this morning at the age of 80.

He breathed his last around 7:45am soon after complaining of chest pain at his son’s house in the capital’s Dhanmondi area, our Rajshahi correspondent reports quoting his son Dipto Islam.

Mahtab had been suffering from heart diseases for a long time and he was brought to Dhaka one month ago after he fell sick at his Rajshai residence and was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, he said.

“We did not have the opportunity to take him to the hospital this time,” he added.

He left behind two sons and four daughters.

Born in late 30s, Mahtab studied BA honours in Bengali Literature at Rajshahi University and actively participated in the Country’s Liberation War in 1971.

He led several groups of freedom fighters and guerrilla warfare. After the liberation, he dedicated his life researching on the Liberation War and in providing support to the poor freedom fighters.

During the 90's he worked as the editor of weekly Gono Khobor that published untold stories of the war heroes. He also established Muktijuddho Charcha Kendra and authored research journals and books on Liberation war.  

He led many social movements in Rajshahi including the movement for bringing natural gas supply to Rajshahi city.

Mahtab, refused the government’s monthly allocation for freedom fighters saying that he could not sell his patriotism. In recent times, he worked as the editor of a local daily Dainik Lal Golap. He was also a former president of Metropolitan Press Club.