22 July,2019 11:30 AM IST | | PTI
Satya Pal Malik
Srinagar: 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".
"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.
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.
ALSO READ
Congress: Centre insensitive to statehood restoration demand, will be poll issue
NC to prioritise lifting of AFSPA if voted to power in J-K, says Omar Abdullah
BJP may ally with regional parties, independents: Omar Abdullah
Sheikh Rashid's party proxy of BJP, says Mehbooba Mufti
Jammu and Kashmir: Scuffle reported between PDP, AIP workers in Shopian
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.
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.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates