State Minister Promod Mankin dies

State Minister for Social Welfare Promod Mankin died of cancer while undergoing treatment at a hospital in India early today. He was 77.

Confirming his death, Abdul Haque, officer-in-charge of Haluaghat Police Station, told our Mymensingh correspondent that Mankin left behind his wife, a son and five daughters, colleagues, a host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death.

His body will be taken to Mymensingh tomorrow night, his daughter Alpona Areng told our local correspondent.

He was born in Durgapur upazila of Netrakona on April 18, 1939 but migrated to adjacent Haluaghat upazila of Mymensingh later.

Mankin was elected as Member of Parliament from Haluaghat (Mymensingh constituency-1) for four times.

He was also the state minister for cultural affairs during the last tenure of Awami League government, sources said.

He was the president of Coke and Coal Importers Association of Gubrakura Land Port and Karaitali Land Port in Haluaghat.

In his early life, he started his career as the headmaster of Biroidakuni High School in Haluaghat. He was also the member of Mymensingh Bar Association, sources said.

Ex-regional director of Caritas Mymensingh region, he was also the chairman of Tribal Welfare Association.

Hatem Ali, a local cultural activist, said the former state minister always inspired local cultural organisations of his area.

Rokeya Khatun, a student of Mankin, said that he was a very good person.