Institutionalized Corruption
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: September 27, 2014 -

India's top investigative magazine Tehelka has exposed the institutionalized corruption in the country's oldest paramilitary force, Assam Rifles, in a recent sting operation conducted in Manipur.

It is not a new thing for Tehelka to carry out such sting operations and publish "earth-shattering" investigative reports.

Earlier, the magazine had published a series of photographs of an alleged fake encounter at Khwairamband Bazar way back in July 2009.

This time Tehelka strikes back only to expose high level corruption among "well trained" and "well disciplined" military officials of the Assam Rifles. For Manipur, such exposé might not be that significant.

It is already an open secret as to how contract works are being executed by the engineering departments of the State Government. The palatial buildings and assets of ministers, government officials and their kins will give a rough scenario of the State.

Here, no one seems to feel guilty for taking or giving bribes.

The takers as well as givers do have their own style of pride.

In fact, corruption is in its most "dignified" stage in the State.

Be it recruitment or tender, nothing can be done without showing the smiling face of Gandhiji.

Even a simple domicile form from the Sub-Divisional Office requires some bucks to be paid. Every "free" service of the government has been put up for a price to the public.

No one bothers to complain or resist such corrupt practices. Everyone seems to be satisfied if their works are done. There is no consideration for thing like integrity in the people's conscience.

Everything from bottom to top has been inflicted with corruption.

A simple analysis of the known assets of ministers and government employees can give a telltale account of their "skilfulness" in amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.

There might be many people in Manipur who fear a three-letter agency that has recently rocked a premier medical institute in the State.

Sooner or later people will surely realize this fallacy of "dignified corruption". Those who flaunt themselves as being bribe givers or takers will one day face the music.

In the national scenario, those ministers and high-profile people indicted by the CBI are now relinquishing their good days in jails.

Those "skilfully corrupt" people out here in the State might think they are having impunity in corruption cases, but their days will surely come in the near future as evident from a recent massive raid conducted by CBI at the residences of former Directors of the State's premier medical institute.

The Manipuri adage "Huraanbagi Taraani, Mapugi Nongma" which literally means "Ten days for thief, one day for owner" should never be forgotten.

Everything has its own good and bad days, and so are the corrupt people of this State. Tehelka has done a marvellous job through this real investigative report.

The whistleblower, who exposed the "rot in the rifles", should be an inspiration to the people of this land.

His courage and sincerity should be held high and take good lessons from him to fight corruption in the State. The Assam Rifles story is just a tip of the iceberg.

Many more such corrupt practices in the State can be unearthed if the people really care for the future generation.