Senior leftist leader and journalist Shakti Lamsal passed away last night at the Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital while undergoing treatment. He was 79.

Lamsal’s mortal remains is kept at the central office of UCPN (Maoist) at Paris Danda in Koteshwar since today morning to offer tribute.

UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and CPN (Revolutionary Maoist) Chairman Mohan Baidya laid their respective parties' flags on the body of late Lamsal in respect.

Lamsal, who forayed into politics in1952 after acquiring the membership of the Communist Party, ventured into journalism in1967 with the Dainik Nirnaya.

A recipient of the Press Council Gopal Das Journalism Award 2065 and the Krishnasen Icchuk Literary Award 2061 among other prestigious awards, Lamsal was suffering from neuro-related ailment for long.

He is survived by spouse, a daughter and a son. He final rites of Lamsal is taking place in Pashupati Aryaghat on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, issuing a condolence message today on the demise of Lamsal, the UCPN (Maoist) Chairman Dahal and the CPN (Revolutionary Maoist) Chairman have paid tributes to the late Lamsal and condolences to the bereaved family.

“With the demise of Lamsal, the country has lost a leading fighter and a senior journalist as well as a literary figure of progressive literature,” the condolence message noted.

Late Lamsal was the Central Advisor to the UCPN (Maoist). RSS