A day after issuing a shocking statement asking terrorists in Kashmir to “kill” corrupt politicians, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday said, “whatever he uttered was in a fit of anger and frustration”.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Malik said he was “angered and frustrated by the rampant corruption” in the state.

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Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday triggered a serious row by asking terrorists in Kashmir to gun down corrupt politicians instead of security forces and innocent people.

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

Annoyed with Malik’s statement, former chief minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had on Sunday hit back saying perhaps the man (Malik) should find out about his own reputation in Delhi.

Omar tweeted; “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”.

Reacting on Abdullah’s tweet, the Governor said, “He (Omar) is a political juvenile tweeting on everything, see the reaction to his tweets and you will find out”.

The Governor had said, “These terrorists carrying guns are killing PSOs and SPOs, why are you killing them? You should kill those who have looted Kashmir, have you killed anyone from among them?” He warned that nobody can bend the government with guns.

Inaugurating the Kargil Ladakh Tourism Festival 2019 at Khree Sultan Choo stadium in Kargil, he said: “Why are you (terrorists) killing innocents including SPOs and PSOs. What will you gain by this?”

“If you have to kill why don’t you kill the corrupt who have looted the country and Kashmir for so long.”

Malik said those carrying the gun do not have the power to erode the authority of the Indian government. “Yours is a futile struggle. You are losing your lives for nothing”.