Purnendu Dastidar

Purnendu Dastidar (; 20 June 1909 – 9 May 1971) was a Bengali politician, writer and lawyer. A key leader of the Communist Party of East Pakistan, Dastidar was jailed for over two decades.

Student years and revolutionary struggle Dastidar was born in Dalghat village, Chittagong District. In 1931, during his student years in Calcutta, he was imprisoned. In 1957 Dastidar became a member of the National Awami Party (NAP). Following the declaration of Martial Law in 1958, Dastidar was once again jailed. He was released in 1962. Upon his release from jail he became the president of the Chittagong City branch of NAP. After being released he was active in the NAP of Wali Khan. He contested the Chittagong-11 in the provincial assembly elections of 1970, but lost to an Awami League candidate.

1971 Liberation War As the Bangladesh Liberation War broke out in 1971 Dastidar left for India to join the struggle, but died of exhaustion en route.