KATHMANDU: Veteran communist leader Kashi Prasad Sah of Rautahat has died at the age of 79 on Saturday.

Sah, who was also a social worker, had been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past six years. He passed away at his residence in Garuda Municipality-4, Ratutahat.

Leader Sah’s funeral rites were carried on Saturday itself in accordance with family tradition, family sources said. Sah’s body was draped with CPN-UML flag.

An honest and highly acclaimed leader, Sah remained active in various organizations and social service throughout his lifetime and contributed immensely to the communist movement in the country. Sah’s daughter-in-law Beena Devi Sah is contesting the January 26 National Assembly (NA) elections as a CPN-UML candidate.

UML leader Prabhu Sah also expressed condolences to the bereaved family members, noting that the loss of late leader Sah would be deeply felt in the society.