Clean up the system, don’t offer scapegoats
- Imphal Times Editorial :: August 19 2020 -

The unusual urgency with which the state government reacted in the recent Gallantry scandal involving a tainted Police officer who is under investigation for involvement in a drug smuggling case worth crores of rupees in April of 2013 has once again proved beyond any shred of doubt that it has the wherewithal to act with blinding speed and amazing decisiveness if the state government perceives a threat to its reputation or stability, more so when there still are existing political pressures. Now we have uncovered a can of worms in which there has not only been shameful abuse of power, but a failure of moral authority of the worst kind.

This is not a one-off incident. The particular list of Gallantry awardees have also raised eyebrows and there is a strong suspicion of rampant irregularities in the whole process as other awardees have been found to be either involved in other criminal cases or are not really deserving as at least one in the list has been transferred from another department just recently after the Covid-19 lockdown started in the state.

Yet another without any previous significant activity but related to the high and mighty of the present government featured in the list.

Constituting an enquiring committee to investigate into the case of the particular Sub Inspector further highlights the desperate attempt of the state government to save face but has once more failed to see the larger picture.

It also indicates that proper review and enquiry of the proposed candidates for the awards were either not carried out or were done under undue influence and pressure- none of which puts the government or the system it operates in good light.

Imphal Times have been highlighting such irregularities in the administrations and governance without exceptions even to the point of attracting threats and legal notices but the fight for justice for the common people and the rights everyone deserves to enjoy will always be the guiding force of our endeavours.

A good government and a decisive leader ought to act on such reports and news with the same promptness and eagerness irrespective of the perpetrators or personal relations because when it comes to such important considerations such as representing the aspirations of the public, a leader and elected representative should be able to rise beyond personal confinements or selfish gains, and should be brave enough to initiate action on the erring individuals or parties.

Despite the chest-thumping declarations and expressions of intent, much remains to be done, and even more introspection by those in the public domain is evidently needed.

The flawed system needs to be cleansed if the state government has to recover some credibility and regain the trust which is increasingly getting depleted among the public, given the apparent shift in focus from issues concerning public welfare to dirty politicking and horse-trading, especially during these times of uncertainty and spreading contagion.

Instead of considering pressure groups, media houses, social organisations and even individuals who points out irregularities and abnormalities in public administrations as against the government, such reports and disclosures should be appreciated and encouraged.

Veiled threats and intimidations towards criticisms especially in public issues does not portray a progressive attitude.

The role of these social organisations has once again been underlined when All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) blew the whistle on the blunder of the state government.

Suspension of a few middle ranked officers will cut no ice with the public anymore. Such feeble attempts at eye-washing rather than displaying sincere intent to get to the root of the matter will only erode the faith and trust the public has placed on the government and the leaders.

Clean up or get cleaned out is the unequivocal message of the people to the government and the leaders of the state.