Srinagar, December 13, 2025:
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday handed over appointment letters to 39 Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims from the Kashmir Division at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, marking a significant step towards long-delayed rehabilitation and justice for families affected by terrorism.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to justice, dignity and economic security for terror victim families, the Lieutenant Governor said the initiative brought closure to decades of neglect and institutional apathy. “For these families, today the long wait for justice has ended. Through concrete measures for rehabilitation, their dignity and faith in the system have been restored,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that terrorism had not only claimed lives but had devastated families, pushing innocent households into prolonged silence, stigma and poverty. “Behind every brutal killing lies a home that never recovered, and children who grew up without parents,” he noted, adding that for years the pain and trauma of genuine victims had been ignored.
He said the system had historically failed terror victim families, while elements linked to the terror ecosystem were allowed to thrive. “Real victims and true martyrs were hounded, while overground workers found space in the system and the NoKs of terror victims were left to fend for themselves,” he said.
Several families, who had waited for decades, received relief on the occasion. Among them were Pakeeza Riyaz of Anantnag, whose father was killed in 1999, and Shaista of Hyderpora, Srinagar, whose father was murdered in 2000. Ishtiyaq Ahmad, son of BSF braveheart Altaf Hussain, martyred nearly 19 years ago, was also granted a government job. Justice was similarly extended to the family of Dilawar Ganie and his son Fayaz Ganie of Qazigund, killed in 2000, and to the family of Abdul Aziz Dar of Srinagar, murdered three decades ago.
The Lieutenant Governor said that following the abrogation of Article 370, terror victim families had found renewed confidence to speak out against the terror ecosystem without fear. “For generations, their cases were denied priority. We are now empowering victims’ voices and ensuring they receive their rightful dues, while remaining committed to swift and fair justice against perpetrators,” he said.
Emphasising that the fight against terrorism is a collective societal responsibility, the Lieutenant Governor called for sustained determination and patience to defeat attempts aimed at destabilising peace. He reiterated the government’s policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism. “Every available resource will be deployed to make Jammu and Kashmir terrorism-free. Those providing sanctuary or support to terrorists will face severe consequences,” he said.
On the occasion, appointment letters were also issued to beneficiaries under Compassionate Appointment Rules (SRO-43) and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS). The administration has provided self-employment opportunities to 156 family members of terror victims under schemes including Mission Yuva, HADP and PMEGP. Additionally, 17 encroachments on properties belonging to terror victim families have been removed, while 36 families have been identified for house reconstruction, with further cases under process.
Senior officials, representatives of social organisations and family members of terror victims were present at the event.
