Md. Alimuddin, the first Chief Minister of Manipur, was remembered today at the 43rd foundation day of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PG Centre, now Manipur University (MU), organized by The Pangal (Manipuri Muslim) Political Forum (PPF) at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University, Canchipur.
O Joy Singh, Ex- Minister, Sarangthem David Singh, MUSU President, Azizul Haque, President PPF, Dr Khashim Ruivah, Ex-Minister, Md Alauddin, Ex-Minister, AR Khan, Retd IAS and Chief Advisor PPF’s Manipur, MI Khan, VP MPTCC and Spokesperson PPF, Nazima Begum, President PPF (Women Wing), AK Abhiram, Social Activist, Sheikh Kheiruddin, Retd. PPS ML Assembly attended the function as dignitaries.
Addressing at the function, O Joy Singh, Ex- Minister sad that Md. Alimuddin was one of the leading politicians of the State who was known for his secular ideals, political acumen and farsightedness. He was not highly educated but he had immense knowledge and wisdom of running the State. He was the first Chief Minister of Manipur after it attained statehood. During his tenure he instituted some of the important institutions including JNU Centre for Post Graduate which is now Manipur University, a central university and Regional Medical College which later became the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), he added.
O Joy said that Manipur People’s Party (MPP) was formed soon after Manipur attained statehood in 1972. Md. Alimuddin, who was the leader of MPP became the First Chief Minister of Manipur in March 1972 .However, the government was short-lived and was later dissolved in March 1973. In 1974, mid-term election was held where MPP again managed to form the government and Md. Alimuddin again became the Chief Minister of Manipur which lasted for just four months from March to July of 1974, he added.
O Joy also said that during his tenure as Chief Minister of Manipur, Md. Alimuddin laid the foundation of most of the premier institutes of the state. He inaugurated Manipur Medical College, at Lamphel in Imphal West District on May 22, 1972 and in the same year of Sept. 14; Manipur Medical College was upgraded as Regional Medical College. The JNU Centre that he founded was developed into a state university which later approved to a central university in 2005. He erected many dams and irrigation facilities and introduced double-cropping in the State but that it is very unfortunate that the State Government has fail to recognize the contribution of Md Alimuddin, he added.
MI Khan, VP MPTCC and Spokesperson PPF speaking at the function said that PPF have been requesting the authorities of MU to observe the foundation day of the JNU Centre by giving befitting tribute to the departed leader. However, the university has not come up with any plan to observe the day. PPF again requested the authorities to observe the foundation day of JNU PG Centre. PPF had been observing the foundation day of JNU Centre since 2012. PPF had also requested the State Government, VC of MU and the authorities to name a significant site or building within the MU campus after Md. Alimuddin but is not fulfilled,he added.
MI Khan further said that he have already file a PIL to the court against RIMS where Md Alimuddin have led the foundation stone of the institution by Md Alimuddin and Bk Nehru in May 19, 1973 but RIMS authority are celebrating the foundation day at September 18 which shows the faultiness of trying to divert the history of the institution. The file PIL which is pending will commence very soon and co-operation from the public is required to bring out the truth, he added.
The function was attended by students of the University and many other re-known persons from various parts of the State. Guests, dignitaries and those who attended the function gathered to pay floral tribute at the foundation stone of the JNU Centre, which was laid by Md. Alimuddin on Nov. 19, 1972 before the commencement of the programme,
It may be remember that Md. Alimuddin was elected from the Lilong Assembly Constituency in the first Legislative Assembly election held in 1948, and became a member of the Council of Ministers taking charge of Jail and Medical departments. He was also elected in the subsequent Assembly/Electoral College/Council elections held in 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974.
Md. Alimuddin was born in 1920 at Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi, Lilong, in Thoubal District. He passed away on Feb. 3, 1983 at the age of 63.
