Srinagar, December 13:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 39 Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims from the Kashmir Division at a ceremony held at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, marking a significant step towards justice, rehabilitation and dignity for families scarred by terrorism.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the day symbolised the end of a long and painful wait for justice for many families whose lives were devastated by terrorism decades ago. He said that concrete rehabilitation measures were restoring not just livelihoods, but also dignity and faith in the system.
“Terrorism did not just claim innocent lives; it shattered families, pushed households into decades of silence, stigma and poverty. Behind every killing lies a story of children growing up without parents and homes that never truly recovered,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He noted that for years, terror victim families were ignored by the system, while elements linked to the terror ecosystem managed to secure advantages. “On one hand, overground workers were given government jobs, while on the other, genuine victims of terrorism were left to fend for themselves. This injustice is now being corrected,” he added.
Several families received long-awaited relief during the event. Pakeeza Riyaz of Anantnag, whose father was killed in 1999, and Shaista of Hyderpora, Srinagar, whose father was murdered in 2000, were among those who received government job letters. Ishtiyaq Ahmad, son of BSF braveheart Altaf Hussain, who was martyred nearly 19 years ago, also secured employment. Justice was similarly delivered to families that had lived with grief for over two decades, including those of Dilawar Ganie and Fayaz Ganie of Qazigund, and Abdul Aziz Dar of Srinagar.
The Lieutenant Governor said that following the abrogation of Article 370, terror victim families have found renewed courage to speak out without fear. “For generations, their cases were not given priority. We are now empowering victims’ voices and ensuring they receive the rights and justice they deserve, while perpetrators will face swift and fair action,” he said.
Reiterating the administration’s security stance, the Lieutenant Governor said the fight against terrorism requires collective resolve. “Our policy is clear—zero tolerance to terrorism in all its forms. Those who provide sanctuary, support or safe haven to terrorists will pay a heavy price,” he asserted.
On the occasion, appointment letters were also handed over to beneficiaries under Compassionate Appointment Rules (SRO-43) and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme. The administration has provided self-employment opportunities to 156 family members of terror victims under schemes such as Mission Yuva, HADP and PMEGP. Additionally, encroachments on properties of 17 victim families have been removed, 36 families identified for house reconstruction, and work on homes damaged by Pakistani shelling in Uri and Karnah is set to begin in April.
Senior officials, representatives of social organisations and families of terror victims were present at the event.
