Guwahati, Oct. 13: Former advocate general of Assam Amrit Kumar Phookan passed away at a hospital in Calcutta around 12.30am today after prolonged illness. He was 71.

His body was flown in here this afternoon and taken to Gauhati High Court and the court of chief judicial magistrate, where a large number of well-wishers paid their last tribute.

His body was then taken to his residence in the Narikal Basti area. His last rites were performed at the Nabagraha crematorium this evening.

He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Phookan served as the advocate general of Assam from May 24, 2001, till June 2, 2014, when he resigned on health grounds, for over 13 years, which is the longest term served by any advocate general of Assam. He also served as the advocate general of Arunachal Pradesh for around six years.

According to family sources, he was born in Jorhat in 1944 and started legal practice at Gauhati High Court in 1972.

"With his demise, we have lost a legal luminary," president of Gauhati High Court Bar Association Apurba Kumar Sharma told The Telegraph.