“The silent suffering of families who lost loved ones to violence is a tragic part of Kashmir’s history, with thousands of innocent civilians from all communities falling victim since the 1990s.”
On August 5, 2025, a date symbolic of transformation in Jammu and Kashmir’s recent history, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over appointment letters to 158 Next of Kin (NoKs) of civilians killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. The move marks not just a government gesture but a powerful reaffirmation of commitment to healing decades-old wounds inflicted by terrorism. The long, silent suffering of families who lost their loved ones in senseless violence is a tragic chapter of Kashmir’s modern history. From the 1990s to the recent Pahalgam attack, thousands of innocent civilians—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs—fell victim to bullets fired in the name of a proxy war. Many families received little more than ex-gratia cheques and official condolences, often left with shattered dreams and broken lives. Tuesday’s ceremony provided a long-overdue sense of closure. The personal stories shared by the LG—from Abdul Majid Mir’s son finally getting a job two decades after his father’s murder, to Parvez Ahmad Dar whose father and brother were both killed by terrorists—reflect a deeply human aspect of a conflict that is too often reduced to politics. These appointments are not merely jobs; they are recognition, a long-delayed acknowledgment of sacrifice, and a pledge that the state stands by its citizens. Yet, as LG Sinha rightly observed, jobs and compensation cannot fill the emotional void left by the loss of a loved one. What they can do, however, is restore dignity and self-respect, and sends a clear message—that those who lost their lives to terrorism are not forgotten, and their families will no longer be left behind. Moreover, this initiative signals a tectonic shift in the governance narrative of Jammu and Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370. The LG’s statement that in the “new Jammu Kashmir, jobs are not given to terrorists but to martyrs of the UT” stands as a sharp rebuke to a past where, far too often, political ambiguity surrounded the victims of terror.
“LG Sinha’s call for a united stand against terrorism is timely, addressing the long-exploited ambiguity by terror sympathizers. The J&K administration’s clear stance should resonate across all societal sectors, including civil institutions and political leaders.”
LG’s words strike a chord with common Kashmiris who seek peace, dignity, and development, not violence and victimhood. It is commendable that the administration has also taken structural steps—setting up web portals and help lines to support the affected families, expediting genuine cases across districts, and enhancing transparency and accessibility. This initiative must not remain a one-time gesture. It should evolve into a sustained policy of engagement, justice, and rehabilitation for all victims of terrorism—across faiths, regions, and timelines. The healing of a wounded land must come with truth, transparency, and tangible action. Importantly, LG Sinha’s call for society to rise against terrorism is timely. For too long, terror sympathizers exploited ambiguity and silence. The clear stand taken by the J\&K administration today must find echo in every section of society, from civil institutions to political leadership. The events of August 5, 2025, will be remembered not just for what was said, but for what was done honouring lives lost, restoring dignity, and taking one more step towards a peaceful and just Jammu and Kashmir.
