In an unprecedented act of empathy, accountability, and long-overdue justice, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, on July 13 handed over government job appointment letters to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of terrorism victims in Baramulla town. The moment was emotional, raw, and deeply symbolic — a long-awaited acknowledgment of the grief and pain of families who lost their loved ones to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
The event, held in a somber but hopeful atmosphere, saw tears flow freely as victims’ families—many of whom had been left abandoned and unheard for over three decades—finally received recognition. What began as an initiative in Anantnag has now expanded into a broader movement of justice and dignity under the leadership of LG Manoj Sinha.
A Voice for the Silenced
Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha did not mince words. He condemned, in the strongest terms, the glorification of terrorism under the guise of constitutional free speech.
“Despite the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution, there can be no justification—legal or moral—for those who glorify terrorists and label them martyrs,” he said. “Legal action will be taken against individuals and groups who amplify propaganda aligned with banned outfits like LeT and TRF.”
His words carried the weight of truth, especially for those who have borne the brunt of terrorism’s cruelty while watching perpetrators hailed by a misguided few as “heroes.” The LG’s unequivocal stand is not just a legal warning—it is a moral declaration against decades of injustice and silence.
Uncovering Suppressed Truths
The LG revealed that as many as 193 grievances from terror victim families have been received recently—many dating back to the 1990s. Shockingly, no FIRs were filed in 61 of those cases. The victims were denied not just compensation or employment, but even the basic acknowledgment that a crime had occurred.
“In many cases, lands were encroached, properties demolished, and records erased. These families suffered in isolation while the system failed them. This silence ends now,” LG Sinha said.
He cited specific examples that have scarred the Valley’s memory: the assassination of Justice Neelkanth Ganjoo in Srinagar, and the Wandhama massacre in Ganderbal, where entire families were wiped out by terrorists backed by Pakistan. These were not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of systemic neglect and political apathy.
One grieving woman, whose voice shook as she addressed the gathering, said, “My sons and daughter were brutally killed for denying food to the terrorists.”
Victims Finally Recognized
At the occasion, more than 80 appointment letters were scheduled to be distributed, with 40 families present in person to receive their letters directly from the Hon’ble LG. Each name called, each letter handed over, symbolized more than a job—it marked the return of dignity to families that had been wronged, abandoned, and ignored.
Tears of closure, pride, and loss mingled on the faces of many. The emotion in the air was overwhelming. It wasn’t just an administrative event—it was a solemn tribute to sacrifice and survival.
Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Sheeri Baramulla, whose father was gunned down by terrorists, shared his anguish: “No one can imagine our pain. We were mocked with fake promises and endless verifications. Today, for the first time, we feel seen. I urge the LG to provide reservations and sustained support to survivors like us.”
From Kupwara, Suhail Yusuf Shah, whose mother was murdered by terrorists, told the LG: “No previous government ever cared to ask about our pain.”
A Historic Step Forward
The justice that should have been delivered decades ago has finally arrived. From now on, let July 13 be remembered not just as a date on the calendar, but as the Day of Justice for thousands of forgotten families.
The initiative is not only about jobs and welfare—it is about restoring the lost honor of citizens who paid the price of terrorism without ever being acknowledged. Through this landmark initiative, all terror victim families will receive the recognition, justice, and benefits they were long denied. Their sacrifices are no longer invisible.
From Abandonment to Action
The administration has pledged to reach the doorsteps of every such family. Helplines have been activated in every district to collect and verify fresh complaints from affected families. Hundreds of such cases, especially from the early 1990s, have already begun surfacing—families who had given up hope are now coming forward.
“For decades, no one came to wipe their tears. Everyone knew Pakistan-backed terrorists were behind the killings, but no one spoke up, and justice was systematically denied,” said LG Sinha.
He vowed that this wrong will now be corrected. “We will ensure proper rehabilitation, livelihood support, and legal recourse. The culprits—whether on the ground or in positions of power—will not be spared.”
Calling Out the Complicity
What makes this initiative even more significant is LG Sinha’s bold indictment of past regimes and intellectuals who glamorized terrorism or remained silent.
“There will be no tolerance for those who echo the voice of terror organizations, whether online or offline,” he warned. “Freedom of expression does not mean freedom to glorify murderers.”
This statement reflects a fundamental shift in the way the Jammu & Kashmir administration now views terrorism—not as a political issue to be debated, but as a human tragedy to be addressed.
A Paradigm Shift
For years, the discourse around terrorism in Kashmir was hijacked by those who portrayed terrorists as martyrs and the victims as collateral. The real stories were never told. Today, that tide is turning.
Baramulla now stands as a beacon of hope. For the first time, the narrative is focused not on the perpetrators but on the victims—those who lost everything, yet never demanded vengeance, only dignity.
Locals across the region praised the initiative as a new beginning. “It’s not just about a government job,” said one youth. “It’s about finally feeling like the state stands with us. That our pain mattered.”
Conclusion: A New Chapter of Hope
Hon’ble LG Manoj Sinha has taken a bold and compassionate step by giving voice to the voiceless and justice to the ignored. His leadership is restorative, not just political. He has won the hearts of the common people, especially those forsaken by the system.
This initiative is not merely governance—it is truth in action. It is the acknowledgment that victims of Pakistan-backed terrorism were not statistics, but citizens of India whose pain matters.
Why did the elected governments over the years abandon these victims of terror sponsored by Pakistan? The answer lies in decades of political cowardice, misplaced priorities, and a refusal to confront uncomfortable truths.
These families were not given the dignity or recognition they deserved. The political class that ruled Jammu and Kashmir for decades should hang its head in shame and take a lesson from the dedication and commitment shown by Hon’ble LG Shri Manoj Sinha ji.
The youth of Jammu and Kashmir salute his courage and vision. His dynamic approach to governance, justice, and public welfare has sparked a wave of transformation across the Union Territory. We thank him with utmost respect for his honesty, leadership, and the hope he has restored in countless hearts.
Let July 13 be remembered not as a day of mourning but as a day of justice. A day when Kashmir, after decades of silence, began to speak on behalf of its true heroes—the innocent men, women, and children who were martyred for standing with their nation.
Let this be the beginning of a new chapter: one of healing, justice, and national unity.
(Author is a Social Activist, Lawyer & Youth Leader from Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Feedback:[email protected] | X: @Jehanzeb_law)
