Satya Pal Malik tells terrorists: 'Stop killing innocents, kill those who looted wealth of Kashmir'

In a statement likely to give way to a controversy, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday asked terrorists to stop killing innocent people, including security personnel, and rather target "those who have looted the wealth of Kashmir for years".

"These boys who have picked up guns are killing their own people, they are killing PSOs (personal security officer) and SPOs (special police officers). Why are you killing them? Kill those who have looted the wealth of Kashmir. Have you killed any of them?" Malik asked, speaking at a tourism function in Kargil of Ladakh region.

In a statement likely to give way to a controversy, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Sunday asked militants to stop killing innocent people, including security personnel, and rather target "those who have looted the wealth of Kashmir for years". pic.twitter.com/KhdzV0pBWD

— JAMMU LINKS NEWS (@JAMMULINKS) July 21, 2019

However, the Governor was quick to add that guns could never be the solution and cited the example of LTTE in Sri Lanka.

"The government of India will never go down before a gun," he said, asking the militants to not take the route of violence.

Taking a veiled dig at mainstream politicians, he said these leaders talk a different language in Delhi and different one in Kashmir.

"They should speak in one language at both places and need not scare us," he said.

The Governor was speaking at the inauguration of Kargil Ladakh Tourism Festival-2019 at Khree Sultan Cho Sports Stadium Kargil.

Reacting to the statement, former chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: “This man, ostensibly a responsible man occupying a constitutional position, tells militants to kill politicians perceived to be corrupt. Perhaps the man should find out about his own reputation in Delhi these days before sanctioning unlawful killings & kangaroo courts.”

This man, ostensibly a responsible man occupying a constitutional position, tells militants to kill politicians perceived to be corrupt. Perhaps the man should find out about his own reputation in Delhi these days before sanctioning unlawful killings & kangaroo courts. https://t.co/bsa9khBjkC

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 21, 2019

The Governor said the twin districts of Kargil and Leh have huge tourism potential and said more such tourism festivals were needed.

He said the Kargil Airport's expansion work will begin soon and that Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned for it. This will not only provide round-the-year connectivity but also give a new dimension to the tourism sector in the region, Malik said.

The Governor said the state administration is committed for the holistic development of Ladakh division and concrete measures were being pursued towards this goal.

The government is taking strict measures to bring transparency in the system and removing various bottlenecks in the path of progress, he added.

On the occasion, the Governor announced the establishment of two degree colleges in Kargil district, including a Women's Degree College.

He said a 2,500-MW solar power project will be set up soon, augmenting the power generation in Kargil. 

(With PTI inputs)