Kolkata, July 29 Thousands of people, cutting across class and political barriers, gathered at Rabindra Sadan auditorium here on Friday to pay their last respects to eminent writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi who passed away a day ago.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award winner died following cardiac arrest and multi-organ failure at a city nursing home. She was 90.

People accompanied the convoy of police cars that flanked the hearse carrying the author\'s body in a glass casket bedecked with floral offerings for the last journey to the Keoratalla crematorium.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced that the activist will be cremated with full state honours.

Banerjee led the tributes at the state-run Rabindra Sadan auditorium where her mortal remains were kept for people to have their last glimpse of the writer.

The homage resembled a massive rally with artists, writers, intellectuals and celebrities walking side by side with the common man as the cavalcade made its way to the crematorium.

Thousands pay tribute to Mahasweta Devi