Kolkata, June 20: Veteran journalist and freedom fighter Kalpataru Sengupta died at his Salt Lake residence today after a brief illness, family sources said. He was 87 and is survived by wife and a son.

Kalpataru came in contact with renowned revolutionary Surya Sen (Masterda) during his childhood days in Chittagong (now in Bangladesh) and was inspired by his patriotic zeal.

In 1938, he became a member of the undivided Communist Party.

Sengupta also had associations with rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, on whom he had done some research.

Beginning his journalistic career in 'Swadhinata', Kalpataru worked with 'Satyajug', 'Bangladesh' and 'Basumati' at a later stage.

Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee condoled Sengupta's death, saying it was a great loss to the Left and democratic movement in West Bengal.

Bureau Report