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

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday asked militants to stop killing innocent people, including security personnel, and instead rise against “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 said, speaking at a tourism function in Kargil of Ladakh region.

The Governor explained guns have never been the solution to problems. “There was an outfit called LTTE in Sri Lanka and it had support as well but it has also been finished,” 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 Airports 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.