Prior to World War II, his family settled in village Žednik near Subotica, where Milutin, as law student, joined then illegal Communist Party of Yugoslavia. He was mobilized in Royal Yugoslav Army after Yugoslav coup d'état. After Yugoslav defeat in April War, he was captured by Hungarian army, but he was soon released and, as colonist, he was to forced return in his birth area. There he joined local communist in their preparation for uprising against Independent State of Croatia and Axis occupation.