Stop killing innocents, rise against those who looted Kashmir: Governor Malik to militants

Jammu andKashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik Sunday asked militants to stop killinginnocent people, including security personnel, and instead rise against"those who have looted the wealth of Kashmir for years".

"Theseboys who have picked up guns are killing their own people, they are killingPSOs (personal security officer) and SPOs (special police officers). Why areyou killing them? Kill those who have looted the wealth of Kashmir. Have youkilled any of them?" Malik said, speaking at a tourism function in Kargilof Ladakh region.

The Governorexplained guns have never been the solution to problems. "There was anoutfit called LTTE in Sri Lanka and it had support as well but it has also beenfinished," he said.

The Governorwas speaking at the inauguration of Kargil Ladakh Tourism Festival-2019 atKhree Sultan Cho Sports Stadium Kargil.

The Governorsaid the twin districts of Kargil and Leh have huge tourism potential and saidmore such tourism festivals were needed.

He said theKargil Airport's expansion work will begin soon and that Rs 200 crore has beensanctioned for it. This will not only provide round-the-year connectivity butalso give a new dimension to the tourism sector in the region, Malik said.

The Governorsaid the state administration is committed for the holistic development ofLadakh division and concrete measures were being pursued towards this goal.

Thegovernment is taking strict measures to bring transparency in the system andremoving various bottlenecks in the path of progress, he added.

On theoccasion, the Governor announced the establishment of two degree colleges inKargil 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.