Agartala, Mar 3 (IANS): Iconic Marxist leader Brajamohan Jamatiya, one of the founders of the Communist movement in Tripura, has died, his family said. He was 106.

Jamatia, a widower, died at his residence at Manu in southern Tripura Friday night from old age ailments.

Elected to the state assembly twice, he is survived by five daughters and three sons, a family source said.

The tribal leader joined the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1950 and switched over to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in 1964.

Jamatia, who led a spartan life, was jailed eight times and spent about a decade in prison, a CPI-M statement said.

He remained underground for many years. It was in prison that Jamatia became a literate.

Jamatia was cremated Saturday afternoon at his ancestral home at Manu, 145 km south of here.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar mourned his death.

"He was a leading soldier against terrorism and a warrior who sought to establish peace and ethnic harmony," said Sarkar, also a CPI-M politburo member.