Pulwama, July 17: A silent battle fought by the “Save Youth Save Future Foundation” has finally given voice to hundreds of families in Kashmir who have long suffered in the shadows of terrorism.Over the past year and a half, a small but determined team of young volunteers, led by Wajahat Farooq, Anika Nazir, and Mudasir Dar, undertook a grassroots documentation campaign across Kashmir—reaching out to families affected by terrorism, many of whom had remained unheard and marginalized for decades. “We spoke to around 335 families and identified nearly 1,000 victims,” said Mudasir Dar, one of the foundation’s core members, adding that these families were not only shattered by terrorism but also ostracized by their own communities and left ignored by the system.The foundation faced immense challenges in getting survivors to share their stories. “For years, these families lived in fear, afraid to speak out, worried they would be labelled as informers for merely rejecting the terror narrative,” Mudasir said.According to the foundation, several cases dated back decades, while some were heartbreakingly recent. Mudasir recounted stories of perpetrators not only escaping justice but also obtaining government jobs or occupying the land of the victims.“Initially, most families questioned what we could do for them, especially when the system had failed them for so long. We promised nothing—except that we would ensure their voices reached the Lieutenant Governor,” he said. Their efforts culminated in a watershed moment on June 29, 2025, when 95 families from South Kashmir gathered in Anantnag to share their grief and trauma directly with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.“It was the happiest day of my life,” Mudasir said, recalling the emotional scenes, adding that many couldn’t hold back tears when LG Manoj Sinha assured them that their suffering had not gone in vain.It was assured that the administration will reach the doorsteps of all the families who have been waiting for justice for decades and jobs, arrangements for their rehabilitation and livelihood will be ensured.Subsequently dedicated cells for the welfare of terror-affected families were constituted in districts and appointment letters were handed over to NoKs of many terror victim families.The foundation lauded the Lieutenant Governor’s response, describing him as “a true statesman who listened with empathy and acted with urgency to deliver justice to these families.”
