Jammu: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha on Sunday reiterated the administration’s commitment to delivering justice and rehabilitation to families affected by terrorism, while handing over appointment letters to the Next of Kins (NoKs) of terror victims at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar.
During the event, the Lieutenant Governor handed over appointment letters to 27 NoKs of victims of terrorism. In addition, 22 NoKs of deceased government employees were also given appointment letters under the Jammu & Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme 2022 and SRO 43.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said the administration remains resolute in securing justice for every terror victim’s family and assured that pending cases will be reopened to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Paying homage to civilian martyrs, Sinha noted that for decades the families of innocent victims—particularly the poor and vulnerable who lost their loved ones to terrorists’ bullets—had waited in hope for justice and redress.
He said that a campaign launched from Baramulla last year had helped provide these families with support, courage and renewed self-belief.
“Our campaign to deliver justice to terror victims’ families has restored their tomorrow. We have succeeded in dispelling the shadow of injustice and ushering in a new dawn of justice at the doorsteps of terror victims’ families.
To date, around 400 NoKs have received employment, and the effort will continue relentlessly until the last family still awaiting justice is reached,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Sinha emphasised that the initiative goes beyond routine administrative procedures.
“It is not merely an administrative exercise of signing papers, shuffling files or filling posts, but a profound commitment to justice,” he said, adding that his aim throughout the process has been to ensure that no terror-affected family slips into neglect or fades from public and official attention.
“I view these appointment letters as true justice, and today’s event stands as its living testament,” he added.
The Lieutenant Governor further highlighted that under the guidance of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, several significant initiatives have been undertaken over the past five to six years with the overarching objective of building a Jammu and Kashmir that moves beyond the pain of its past and embraces a future defined by self-confidence and opportunity.
Recalling the vision he set in August 2020, Sinha said the administration has been working to develop a region that measures its strength by the height of its aspirations and to build a governance system rooted in social justice, dignity and equal opportunity.
The Lieutenant Governor also directed the Principal Secretary Home to undertake a comprehensive review of cases related to property encroachment belonging to victims of terrorism.
“I have repeatedly affirmed that lands or homes forcibly seized from terror-affected families will be liberated and returned, and cases yet to undergo investigation will receive impartial and transparent probes,” he said.
Highlighting the administration’s broader rehabilitation efforts, Sinha said many victims of terrorism continue to live with severe disabilities or have lost their eyesight due to attacks.
“We will chalk out a robust framework for their rehabilitation. The administration has also outlined a timeline for providing essential housing and other support to the victims of terrorism,” he said.
Calling upon citizens to preserve unity and counter divisive forces, the Lieutenant Governor urged people to foil attempts by separatist elements seeking to divide society.
Referring to the Prime Minister’s policy of “Zero Tolerance towards Terrorism,” Sinha said the administration, police and security forces are taking decisive steps to dismantle terror networks in the region.
“We must remain vigilant against divisive elements attempting to divide us along sectarian lines. We are Indians, and our collective duty is the peace and progress of our nation. Officials and citizens must work together to strengthen faith in our government institutions,” he said.
Among those present on the occasion were Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Mandeep K Bhandari; Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department M Raju; IGP Kashmir V K Birdi; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo; SSP Srinagar GV Sundeep Chakravarthy; Chairman of Save Youth Save Future Foundation Wajahat Farooq Bhat; senior officials, representatives of social organisations and family members of victims of terrorism.
