Kathmandu: The last rites of Sita Dahal, a leader of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and the spouse of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', were conducted today in Kathmandu with State honours. The Council of Ministers had made arrangements for according State honours to late Dahal, and as per the arrangements, a contingent of the Nepali Army offered a guard of honour during the ceremony.

As a final tribute, the national flag of Nepal was draped over Sita Dahal's mortal remains. Prime Minister Dahal himself lit her funeral pyre, while her daughters Renu Dahal and Ganga Dahal also participated in the last rites rituals.

Before the cremation, Sita Dahal's mortal remains were kept at the party central office at Parisdanda in Koteshwor, where people paid their respects. Subsequently, her body was taken to the Aryaghat for the final rites.

Sita Dahal, aged 69, passed away earlier in the day at the Norvic International Hospital in Thapathali, Kathmandu, while undergoing treatment for complications related to Parkinson's disease.

Several high-ranking leaders, including Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, were present at the Aryaghat to pay their respects to the late Sita Dahal.

The final rites ceremony was attended by ministers, government officials, leaders and members of the CPN (Maoist Centre), as well as well-wishers in a significant number.