J&K Governor Regrets Remark Asking Militants To Kill ‘Corrupt Politicians’ Of Kashmir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik landed himself into a huge controversy yesterday, by saying at a public meeting that terrorists should “kill corrupt politicians who have looted the entire wealth of the state” rather than innocent people and security personnel.

“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?” Satya Pal Malik said at an event in Kargil on Sunday.

He further accused the “big families” of Kashmir of accruing properties across the world by looting public money from the state.

“The big families who have ruled Kashmir have got unlimited wealth. They have one house in Srinagar, one in Delhi, Dubai, one in London and elsewhere. They are shareholders in big hotels. It is the common man of Kashmir who is suffering,” he said.

After receiving severe backlash for his comments, Malik clarified today that he had spoken “in a fit of anger and frustration” due to rampant corruption.

“As Governor, I should have not made such a comment, but my personal feeling is the same as I said. Many political leaders and big bureaucrats are steeped in corruption here,” he told news agency ANI.

Reacting strongly to the Governor’s comments, former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted: “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 

“Save this tweet – after today any mainstream politician or serving/retired bureaucrat killed in J&K has been murdered on the express orders of the Governor of J&K Satyapal Malik,” Abdullah added.

Save this tweet – after today any mainstream politician or serving/retired bureaucrat killed in J&K has been murdered on the express orders of the Governor of J&K Satyapal Malik.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 21, 2019 

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