- High On Sinha’s Agenda ‘Justice For Terror Victims, Crackdown On Terror Operators’
“Jammu and Kashmir is turning a new page one marked by justice, reform, and resilience. From jobs for terror victims’ families to legal aid for soldiers and cultural revival among youth, the Government is pushing forward a clear message: the region will no longer be defined by its past pain but by progress, dignity, and a collective future rooted in hope.”
In a landmark week reflecting the determined push of the Jammu and Kashmir Government to confront decades of terrorism, neglect, and injustice, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led a series of historic initiatives. From handing out Government jobs to the kin of terror victims, to reaffirming constitutional guarantees for tribals and soldiers, and celebrating Kashmir’s cultural renaissance, these efforts collectively portray a government committed to rewriting the narrative of J&K. The coordinated approach—rooted in justice, cultural dignity, youth empowerment, and security underlines the Government’s determination to dismantle the terror ecosystem, aid victims, and foster lasting peace. It sends a strong message: Kashmir is no longer a pawn in the hands of conflict entrepreneurs, but a region reclaiming its dignity through healing, development, and national integration.
Reaffirming Constitutional Guarantees|Legal Aid To Armed Forces, Tribals: On July 26, LG Sinha addressed the North Zone Regional Conference of Legal Services Authorities in Srinagar, underscoring another critical front in the fight for justice—access to law for the vulnerable, especially armed forces personnel and tribal communities. He highlighted transformative legal reforms, noting that before the abrogation of Article 370, key central laws—like the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act—did not apply to J&K. “Today, these laws are empowering our tribals,” Sinha said, “and we are ensuring they receive free and competent legal aid.” A landmark initiative announced at the event was NALSA’s Veer Parivar Sahayata Yojana 2025, a dedicated legal support scheme for serving defence personnel, veterans, and their families. Legal service clinics will now be available at Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards, along with special legal outreach units for tribals and mobile legal-medical support in remote areas of Ladakh. Reiterating the Government’s commitment to justice, LG Sinha stated: “The Constitution of India guarantees justice—social, economic, and political. It must reach even the poorest of the poor.” Additional reforms include the amendment of the J&K Legal Services Authority Rules, 2020, to include the Secretary of the Zila Sainik Board in the District Legal Services Authority, ensuring seamless access to legal help for soldiers and veterans. Also highlighted was the establishment of the Lieutenant Governor’s Sainik Sahayta Kendra—an institutional redressal platform for soldiers from J&K posted anywhere in the country or stationed within the UT. These mechanisms reflect a larger vision where governance becomes more responsive to those who serve and protect the nation.
From Silence To Justice|NoKs Of Terror Victims Get Long-Awaited Recognition: In a defining moment in Jammu on July 28, LG Manoj Sinha handed over appointment letters to 80 Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victims from across the Union Territory, adding to the 40 families who received similar benefits earlier in Baramulla. The recipients belonged to the worst-hit districts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi. These appointments are more than job offers—they are redemptive acts meant to restore dignity and deliver long-withheld justice. For years, families devastated by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism were reduced to mere statistics. Their stories—like that of Smt. Tara Devi from Cherji village, who died protecting her son from terrorists in 2001, or Smt. Gyan Devi and her infant son Kikar Singh, slaughtered in Kishtwar in 1998, were buried beneath political silence. “Common citizens of J&K endured unspeakable trauma. Their pain was ignored to shield the perpetrators and those who supported them,” said Sinha. “But justice has come knocking.” He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government is committed to punishing terrorists and extending comprehensive support to victim families—including employment, self-employment aid, and financial assistance. “Dharma’s victory over Adharma is inevitable,” he declared. An internal web portal has been developed to process victim cases, supported by helplines and dedicated district teams. Importantly, more appointments and assistance are planned for August 5 in Srinagar—a date now symbolizing a new era in Kashmir’s constitutional and emotional integration with the rest of India.
Cultural Renaissance|From Calligraphy To Call For Unity: Just a day after the appointments, another historic event unfolded in Baramulla on July 29—Kashur Riwaaj 2025, a mega celebration of Kashmir’s indigenous culture. Over 20,000 youth came together to set a world record in Ladishah and Calligraphy, embracing the art and traditions of their homeland. The event was jointly organised by the Indian Army and Baramulla district administration, and the Lieutenant Governor’s message was clear: preserving culture is a form of resistance against separatism and terror. “I salute our Army, not just for guarding our borders, but for nurturing our cultural identity,” said LG Sinha. “Unity in diversity is our strength, and our youth are reclaiming it.” He emphasized that peace and cultural revival go hand-in-hand. “For dreams to flourish, we need a peaceful environment,” he said, pointing out that Pakistan-backed terrorism and separatist ideology had long held youth aspirations hostage. Among the initiatives announced were the Guru-Shishya Parampara programme and a Calligraphy course in collaboration with the University of Kashmir. The intent is clear: channel youth energy into artistic and constructive avenues while reclaiming what was nearly lost to conflict.
Operation Mahadev |The Sword Of Justice Strikes Back: While cultural revival and victim compensation address the social and emotional damage of terrorism, the Government is also actively neutralizing terror threats on the ground. LG Sinha lauded the Army, J&K Police, and paramilitary forces for executing Operation Mahadev, eliminating three Pakistani terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 28 civilians, including foreign tourists. “This is a message to those who shelter terror—justice will find you,” the LG said, echoing the Government’s resolve to destroy terror infrastructure, both physically and ideologically. He also addressed concerns over human rights violations, emphasizing that the Government’s policy remains firm: “Don’t touch the innocent, don’t spare the guilty.” Referring to the July 24 incident in Jammu, two officials were promptly suspended, an SIT was formed, and a magisterial inquiry was ordered—an example of swift and balanced justice.
“This week’s actions reflect a deeper shift from symbolic gestures to systemic healing. Justice for victims, cultural pride, and strong governance are shaping a new narrative. The road ahead remains complex, but with consistent action and people-centric policies, J&K is showing it’s ready to rise—stronger, united, and future-focused.”
Road Ahead|Justice, Culture, Youth, Security: Whether through counter-insurgency operations, legal empowerment, victim rehabilitation, or cultural celebration, the message from the LG administration is unmistakable—Kashmir’s trajectory is changing.
From Baramulla to Srinagar, from legal conferences to village calligraphy workshops, from gun battles in Dachigam forests to youth-led record-breaking cultural events—Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a multidimensional shift. This transformation is not without its challenges. Decades of trauma, entrenched separatism, and foreign interference won’t vanish overnight. But what is undeniable is the intent—to restore the soul of Kashmir, not by force, but by affirming dignity, opportunity, and justice. “I am confident,” LG Sinha said at the legal services conference, “those necessary interventions to make citizens aware of their rights under the Constitution will be discussed—and implemented.” Justice, finally, is no longer a distant dream in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s a promise being fulfilled.
Kashmir Horizon View: The decision by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to hand over appointment letters to 80 next of kin (NoKs) of terror victims in Jammu marks a significant moment of justice and healing for families that have suffered unimaginable losses at the hands of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. This initiative is not merely about employment; it represents a state’s moral and administrative acknowledgment of the long-ignored trauma of common citizens across Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi. For decades, these families were reduced to footnotes in the larger political discourse, but this move provides a sense of closure and renewed purpose in their lives. The pain endured by these families is part of a larger, painful chapter in Jammu and Kashmir’s recent history—one in which terrorism, radicalism, and political manipulation fed a parallel ecosystem of violence and instability. The state’s gesture, therefore, sends a clear message: that the era of impunity for those orchestrating terror from across the border is over, and that the Government stands with victims, not perpetrators. However, this must not be the end of the road. Justice cannot be symbolic or episodic; it must be institutional, long-term, and inclusive. Beyond appointment letters, the state must implement a structured rehabilitation framework for families affected by terrorism—providing them with mental health counseling, educational assistance, and socio-economic support. Their stories, resilience, and sacrifices should also be formally documented as part of the region’s history to ensure collective remembrance and learning. The way forward must also include a robust counter-terrorism strategy that targets not just terrorists on the ground, but also the wider support system—whether it is overground workers, digital propagandists, or cross-border handlers. As technology and geopolitics evolve, the state must remain agile and proactive in dismantling this ecosystem. At the same time, community engagement, youth empowerment, and inclusive governance must be central to any long-term peace strategy. Ultimately, peace in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be sustained through force alone. It must be anchored in justice, equity, and trust between the state and its people. The appointment of the 80 NoKs is a crucial step in that direction—symbolic, yet powerful. What matters now is consistency in policy, compassion in governance, and the courage to remember and uplift those who bore the brunt of terror but never gave up hope.
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