“It was in a fit of anger”, Satya Pal Malik apologises for his comments

Srinagar | Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik has apologised for his controversial remarks for the militants and has said that he said it in a fit of anger.

“Whatever I said was in a fit of anger and frustration due to rampant corruption here”, Satya Pal Malik said, as reported by news agency ANI.

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

When asked about former Chief Minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah’s tweet about his statement Malik responded, “He is political juvenile tweeting on everything, see the reaction to his tweets and you will find out”.

Stirring a political controversy, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday asked militants 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 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.

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 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 (sic),” Abdullah tweeted.

(With PTI inputs)