Srinagar: Governor Satya Pal Malik stirred a controversy on Thursday when he accused National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti and the entire separatist leadership of trying to blackmail the Centre with the blood of youth in Kashmir. He said that these political leaders are in favour of killings in Kashmir so that they can keep the Central government “under pressure”.
In his fresh attack, he said that he broke the protocol and went to the residences of Abdullah and Mufti, requesting them to participate in municipal and panchayat polls so that common men are empowered in the state. He lamented the fact that both of them, however, want their own empowerment, and not of the common people. Accusing Mufti of fueling violence, he said that even before a death is confirmed, she visits their families.
Targeting separatists in similar voice, Malik said that they know well about the futility of use of gun and violence and realize that the dialogue was the only way out for finding solution to the Kashmir problem within constitutional frame work. Asserting again that he would like that there are no killings, he said that the youth with guns should shun the path and he will soon announce a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for them.
Both Mufti and Abdullah have sharply reacted to Malik’s fresh assertions. PDP tweeted against Malik for his latest remarks by virtue of calling both PDP and NC as “merchants of death and destruction in Kashmir.”
Malik said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all for the people of the state while the political parties are resorting to blackmail and pressure and are not interested in the welfare of people. He claimed that he has cleared this misconception by holding municipal and panchayat polls, and the Centre will not come under any pressure from any political party.
The Governor also said that PM Modi is ready to provide everything under the sky to the people of Kashmir within the ambit of Constitution as he has deep love and respect for the people of the state.