SRINAGAR: In a hugely controversial statement, Jammu andKashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said at a public meeting that terroristsshould "kill corrupt politicians who have looted the entire wealth"of the state" rather than innocent people and security personnel.

"These boys who have picked up guns are killing theirown people, they are killing PSOs (personal security officer) and SPOs (specialpolice officers). Why are you killing them? Kill those who have looted thewealth of Kashmir. Have you killed any of them?" Satya Pal Malik said atan event in Kargil on Sunday, causing shockwaves.After the backlash over hiscomments, Mr Malik clarified today that he had spoken "in a fit of angerand frustration" due to rampant corruption."As Governor, I should havenot made such a comment, but my personal feeling is the same as I said. Manypolitical leaders and big bureaucrats are steeped in corruption here," hetold news agency ANI.

There was no mistaking the target of his provocativecomments yesterday..More so, because he had made the remarks right after heaccused "big families" of Kashmir of accruing properties across theworld by looting public money.

The governor has often accused political leaders of Kashmirof corruption and having no mass support because of the poor turnout inelections."The big families who have ruled Kashmir have got unlimitedwealth. They have one house in Srinagar, one in Delhi, Dubai, one in London andelsewhere. They are shareholders in big hotels. It is the common man of Kashmirwho is suffering," he said.

Reacting strongly to the Governor's comments, former Jammuand Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted: "Save this tweet - aftertoday any mainstream politician or serving/retired bureaucrat killed in J&Khas been murdered on the express orders of the Governor of J&K SatyapalMalik." "This man, ostensibly a responsible man occupying aconstitutional position, tells militants to kill politicians perceived to becorrupt. Perhaps the man should find out about his own reputation in Delhithese days before sanctioning unlawful killings and kangaroo courts," MrAbdullah wrote.