Stop killing innocents, rise against those who looted Kashmir: Guv

Inaugurates Kargil Ladakh Tourism Fest; announces 2 colleges for Kargil

STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Stirring a political 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”, a statement which evoked severe criticism from mainstream politicians.
“These boys who have picked up guns are killing their own people, they are killing PSOs (personal security officers) 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.
The Governor’s comments drew sharp reaction from former Chief Minister and senior Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, who said Malik should check his own reputation in Delhi.
“This man, ostensibly a responsible man occupying a constitutional position, tells terrorists 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 (sic),” Abdullah tweeted.
“Is he trying to promote a jungle raj?” Asked State Congress chief G A Mir. He said the Governor’s statement does not behove the constitutional position occupied by Malik.
However during his speech, 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 terrorists to not take the route of violence.
Malik said only 250 terrorists were remaining in the Valley, out which 50 per cent were Pakistanis who will be eliminated in encounters, unless they surrender.
“The maulivis promise you heaven after death but here I am promising you heaven while you live, provided you shun the path of violence,” he added in his appeal to the local terrorists.
Taking a veiled dig at mainstream politicians, Malik said these leaders talk a different language in Delhi and a 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.
Malik said the twin districts of Kargil and Leh have huge tourism potential and more of such tourism festivals were needed.
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.
Governor said that the expansion work of Kargil Airport for which Rs 200 crore have already been sanctioned will be taken up soon.
This will not only provide round the year connectivity but also give a new dimension to the tourism sector in the region, he added.
Governor said that the State Administration is committed for the holistic development of Ladakh division and concrete measures are underway to pursue this goal. Government is taking strict measures to bring transparency in the system and removing various bottlenecks in the path of progress and development, he added.
Governor, on the occasion, announced the establishment of two degree colleges for Kargil district including a Women’s Degree College. He said that a 2500 MW solar power project will be starting soon to augment power sector in Kargil.
Governor also inspected and appreciated the various stalls of local handicrafts, handloom, agricultural and horticulture products, ethnic food and ancient artefacts which had been put up by various Government departments and social groups.
Feroz Ahmad Khan, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC, Kargil expressed his gratitude to the Governor on behalf of the people of Kargil district for having fulfilled the long pending demands of the people by granting divisional status to Ladakh, creation of 495 posts for Ladakh Division and allotment of equal number of directorates to both districts, sanctioning of Rs 200 crore for expansion of Kargil Airport and Rs 280 crore for completion of languishing projects.
The CEC also projected several demands and sought the intervention of the Governor for their early redressal including establishment of women’s police station and IRP Battalion in the district, early start of work on Zojila Tunnel and release of the pending dues of casual labourers.
Various multicultural music and dance performances were presented by the artists of the Purgi, Balti and Shina Dardi ethnic tribes and a polo exhibition match was also organized to mark the occasion.
Haji Anayat Ali, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, Feroz Ahmad Khan, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC, Kargil, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Member Parliament, Er Phunsog Tashi, Syed Mujtaba, Syed Abbass Razvi, Muhammad Ali Chandan- Executive Councillors, Maj. Gen Sanjeev Dogra, GOC 8 Mountain Division, Prasanna Ramaswamy G, Additional Secretary, Tourism, Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Dr Vinod Kumar, Superintendent of Police Kargil, Nissar Ahmed Wani, Director Tourism Kashmir, Councillors of LAHDC Kargil were present among other dignitaries on the occasion.
Baseer ul Haq Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner and CEO, LAHDC, Kargil gave the vote of thanks and expressed his gratitude to Governor for gracing the occasion with his presence.