Poet Helal Hafiz has died at a hostel in Dhaka's Shahbagh area. He was 76.

On information, police found him in unconscious state from Super Home Hostel around 2:00pm, said Khalid Munsur, officer-in-charge of Shahbagh Police Station.

Hafiz was taken to the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) where doctors declared him dead, the OC said. 

The OC also said, "We came to know that the poet slipped in the bathroom and died. We are looking into it."

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‘I enjoy being alone’: Helal Hafiz

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today expressed deep shock at the death of poet Helal Hafiz.

In a condolence message, Prof Yunus said the death of poet Helal Hafiz, a poet of rebellion and love, is an irreparable loss to the Bangla language and literature.

He sought eternal peace of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

The chief adviser said poet Helal Hafiz was the power of youth and a brave voice against dictatorship.

"Like his timeless poems, he will be remembered forever in the hearts of people," Prof Yunus added.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki expressed deep shock and sorrow and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family.

He said Helal Hafiz has made his place among the notable poets of Bangla language with only a few poems. The nation will always remember his contributions.

Helal Hafiz's first namaz-e-janaza will be held at Bangla Academy at 11:00am.

Born on October 7, 1948, in Netrakona, Helal Hafiz published his first book of poetry, Je Jwale Agun Jwale, in 1986. His second collection, Kobita 71, was published 26 years later.

He won Bangla Academy Award in 2013 for poetry.