Kathmandu, Aug 30: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ expressed sorrow over demise of human rights defender and leftist leader Teknath Baral. Baral passed away on August 28, Tuesday, at Manipal Teaching Hospital in Pokhara during the treatment. He was 84. Taking to social networking site, PM Dahal here today expressed deep sorrow over Baral’s demise and extended condolences to the bereaved family and well-wishers. The PM wrote, “I express deep sorrow over the demise of Teknath Baral, pioneer of social cultural movement as well as the leftist democratic movement in Pokhara.” Late Baral was founding member of Civil Society Network, Kaski, formed during the insurgency. Based in Pokhara, he was active in the field of human rights and social justice for more than five decades. His final rites were performed at Tulsighat on the bank of the Seti River in Pokhara on Tuesday evening. The funeral was attended by family members, relatives and political leaders as well as human rights activists among others.