Khulna: A rare tobacco pipe, used by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and dropped unintentionally at a programme in Khulna in 1972, is set to make its way to Bangabandhu Museum in Dhaka.

Daud Ali and Bhabatosh, residents of Patharbunia village of the district, handed over the tobacco pipe to officer-in-charge of Paikgachha Police Station Mahruh Ahmed requesting him to send it to Bangabandhu Museum in the capital.

According to locals, after his release from Pakistan jail, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman retuned home on 10 January 1972 and he went to Paikgachha on 22 February of the same year to inaugurate an embankment of the then Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).

During his visit to the locality, Bangabandhu exchanged greetings with locals at the local guesthouse of Wapda. At one stage, when 12-year-old Daud Ali was shaking hands with Bangabandhu, his tobacco pipe slipped down from his mouth and he did not pick it up.

Daud took the pipe and preserved it. About 31 years, Daud gave the tobacco pipe to Bhabatosh, requesting him to keep it in his possession.

Recently, Daud and Bhabatosh decided to give the tobacco pipe to Bangabandhu Museum for preservation, and finally handed over the pipe to Paikgachha Police Station on Thursday.

OC Mahruh Ahmed said he has personally communicated with an official of the Prime Minister's Office in this regard. ‘We'll formally contact the authorities concerned after the National Mourning Day,’ he said.