Noted Dalit writer Omprakash Valmiki died in a hospital here at the age of 63 after a prolonged battle with cancer.
Valmiki, who had been suffering from liver cancer, had breathed his last on Sunday.
Born in Muzaffarnagar in 1950, Valmiki made Dehradun his home after his retirement from the city-based ordnance factory a few years back.
Valmiki's autobiography Joothan is one of his famous works. He has also authored Sadiyon Ka Santaap (1989), Bas! Bahut Ho Chuka (1997) and Ab Aur Nahin (2009).
Former chief minister Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank and the literary world expressed shock at his demise describing it as an irreparable loss to Hindi literature. "An important pillar of Dalit literature has collapsed with Vamiki's passing away," Nishank said.
Writer Liladhar Jagudi described Vamiki as a writer of all sections of society.
