Remark was in fit of anger and frustration due to rampant corruption
WEB DESK
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik today expressed regret over his remark that militants should stop killing innocent people and target the corrupt, saying it was made in a “fit of anger and frustration”.
Malik said he should not have made the comment as constitutional head of the state but it did reflect his feelings and he will say the same thing when he is not a governor.
“It was in a fit of anger and frustration due to rampant corruption here. Wherever I dig, I find their corruption. I should not have made such comments as I am the constitutional head but what I said is my feeling on the issue. Once I am not the governor, I will still say the same thing. I am ready to face the consequences for it,” Malik told television channels.
On Sunday, Malik stoked controversy during his address at a function in Kargil in Ladakh region.
“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 had asked.
In a sharp reaction, National Conference (NC) vice-president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, “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,” tweeted Mr. Abdullah.
“This man, ostensibly a responsible man occupying a constitutional position…Perhaps the man should find out about his own reputation in Delhi these days before sanctioning unlawful killings and kangaroo courts,” Mr. Abdullah had said.
In his retort, Mr. Malik said, “He [Mr. Abdullah] is a political juvenile tweeting on everything. I ask him to evaluate my reputation here and his own too.”
The Governor said he had risen from a one-and-a-half room. “I belong to no dynasty. I don’t cash in on my father or grandfather’s name. Let me make it clear, I will expose all corrupt names in J&K.”
