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”. The statement 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,” Mr. Malik said at a tourism function in Kargil. The comments drew a sharp reaction from former Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, who said Mr. 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),” Mr. Abdullah tweeted.
