By Dr. Syed Ahmed for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Former Minister and veteran politician of Manipur Md. Helaluddin Khan passed away on April 25, 2014 at his residence at Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, in Thoubal District, due to an illness. He was elected to the Manipur Legislative Assembly from the Lilong Assembly Constituency four times. He also held various portfolios including the Department of Revenue and Irrigation & Flood Control as Cabinet Minister. He was 70. The last rite was performed on April 25.
Several political parties, leaders and civil society organizations of the State condoled the demise of Md. Helaluddin Khan. Sharing the grief and pain of the bereaved family Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Md. Abdul Nasir remembered Md. Helaluddin Khan as a dedicated, broad-minded leader and a man of integrity.
Md. Helaluddin Khan inaugurating Minorities Rights Day in 2010.
The RJD Manipur, Communist Party of India, Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee and Lilong Block Congress Committee also condoled the demise of the veteran leader. Md. Helaluddin Khan was the former President of RJD Manipur.
The All Manipur Muslim Organizations Co-ordinating Committee (AMMOCOC), All Manipur Muslim Students’ Organization (AMMSO), United Manipur Muslim Women’s Development Organization (UMMWDO) and Muslim Students’ Union, Manipur (MSUM) also condoled the death of Md. Helaluddin Khan. The members of the organizations held a condolence meeting at head office of AMMOCOC at Hafiz Hatta. The All Manipur Muslim (Meitei Pangal) Welfare Association (AMPWA) also expressed deep sorrow at the demise of Md. Helaluddin Khan.
President of AMPWA Professor Md. Janab Khan also expressed deep sorrow at the demise of the veteran leader. He said his demise is a great lost for the State as well as for the Muslim community. He had played an important role in the State politics for quite a long time. The Muslims in the State will fondly remember him for the works that he had done for the upliftment the community. He was known for his political acumen and widely respected by many as a bold political leader, Md. Janab Khan added.
Md. Helaluddin was elected from the Lilong Assembly constituency for the first time in 1980 Assembly election as INC candidate and served as State Minister Irrigation and Flood Control from Feb. 1980 to May 1980 and later as Cabinet Minister for Forest from Nov. 1980 to Jan. 1985. He was again elected in 1990 Assembly election and served as Cabinet Minister for Sericulture and Fisheries from June 1992 to Dec. 1993. After his re-election in 1995 assembly election as INC candidate he served as Cabinet Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control from Jan. 1995 to Feb. 1995 and later as Cabinet Minister for Revenue, Fisheries, Food and Civil Supplies from March 1995 to Dec. 1996. He was again elected from the Lilong Assembly constituency in 2007 assembly election on RJD ticket. He served as Chairman of Manipur State Haj Committee. However, he did not contest the 2012 Assembly election.
Md. Helaluddin Khan was born in 20 Feb. 1944 to Haji Karimuddin Khan at Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai.