Baramulla: For the first time in over two decades, families devastated by terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir stood with tears, not in mourning, but in gratitude as the long-ignored voices of pain were finally heard.
At an emotionally charged event in Baramulla, where Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over appointment letters to the next of kin (NoKs) of terror victims, survivors, shared their long-suppressed grief and thanked the administration for bringing them justice and dignity.
Among them was Suhail Yousuf Shah from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, who lost his mother and uncle to terrorist bullets in 2002. “So many governments came and went, but no one cared about us. No one even asked what happened to my family,” he said, holding back tears. “But today, we are very thankful to LG Manoj Sinha, who took this initiative. For the first time, it feels like someone is truly our own.”
Recalling the horrific day, Suhail shared that his mother was blinded by terrorists before succumbing to her injuries. “I told my siblings, she’s just hurt and will be fine. But since then, no one has even asked about us. Today, someone finally understood our pain.”
His words echoed with Fayaz Ahmed Sheikh from Sheeri Baramulla, who lost his 40-year-old father to a terror attack.
“He stepped out in the evening and was shot dead on the spot. No one knows what we have gone through since,” he said. His family, including a 7-year-old sister, lived in helpless silence for years. “All we got was a promise from a 12-year-old government. The system made a joke out of our verification,” he added bitterly.
Sheikh also made an earnest appeal to the Lieutenant Governor, “Just as ST and SC communities have reservations, please consider the same for the families of terror victims. Let our children know that their loved ones sacrificed for this nation and the nation stood by them.”
He also requested the audience to remember the name of the man who finally made them feel heard. “Please remember the name of a great man who brought light to our darkest chapter—Manoj Sinha Ji.”
Similarly, Irshad Ahmad from Vilgam in Kupwara spoke with heavy emotion about his brother, a Special Police Officer (SPO), who was abducted from his home by terrorists in August 2004 and later found dead in a nearby orchard. “They took him away in front of us, and we were helpless,” Irshad said. “We searched all night. His body was found dumped the next morning. Until now, no one came to ask us what we lost. But today, LG Manoj Sinha heard us, gave us space to speak and delivered justice.”
Another victim, Asha Begum, a grieving widow from Taratpora Handwara, shared that her husband was taken away by terrorists in 1994 and shot dead near their home. “I was left with four daughters, alone and devastated. For 30 years, no one looked for us, no one remembered we existed,” she said with tears. “But now, I thank the LG from my heart. For the first time, someone heard our voice.”
It is noteworthy that this outpouring of grief, gratitude, and long-suppressed truth comes as part of LG Manoj Sinha’s ongoing initiative to provide jobs, financial support and social dignity to families who have suffered due to terrorism.
The administration has committed to addressing unregistered FIRs, restoring confiscated properties, and ensuring a structured rehabilitation process for every verified victim family—(KNO)
