- August 5,2025 : A Day of Justice for J&K’s Terror Victims In Srinagar
“Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over appointment letters to 158 Next of Kin of civilians killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, marking a long-awaited moment of justice in Srinagar. The event honoured the resilience of families who have endured decades of grief and neglect, while signalling the administration’s resolve to prioritise martyrs over terrorists.”
In a deeply emotional and historic event in Jammu and Kashmir’s capital, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha this week handed over appointment letters to 158 Next of Kin (NoKs) of Kashmiri civilians killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The ceremony, which took place in Srinagar, marked what the LG called “a day of closure” for families who have carried invisible scars for decades. The gathering was as much a solemn remembrance of loss as it was a moment of renewed hope. Survivors and family members of civilian martyrs from across the Valley were present, many of them for the first time publicly recounting their pain and their long fight for recognition.
‘Healing Of Wounds that Persisted For Decades’: Addressing the audience, LG Manoj Sinha paid heartfelt tribute to those who had lost their lives to terrorism. His words were measured, but carried the weight of years of injustice and the determination to set things right. “Wounds that have persisted for decades are now being healed. Today’s landmark event provided a sense of closure to the families who have silently suffered trauma for years,” the LG said. He did not mince words in naming Pakistan as the orchestrator of this decades-long cycle of violence. “For more than three decades, the terror state Pakistan has been shedding innocent blood through its proxy terrorist outfits. Time has not erased the pain of loss. The invisible scars on their soul can still be felt, and mute eyes are witnesses to many unfulfilled dreams.” The LG stressed that the long wait for justice had ended for many families that day and vowed to continue until every legitimate case had been addressed.
Stories Of Loss, Delayed Justice: The event was punctuated by stories from individual families whose lives had been torn apart. For many, the day brought long-delayed relief, even if the pain remained raw. One such family was that of Abdul Majid Mir from Sheikhpura, Baramulla, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered by terrorists on June 29, 2004. His death left the family without their breadwinner, and although they received a one-time ex-gratia relief of ₹1 lakh under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, they struggled for survival. More than 20 years later, Mir’s son, Mudasir Majid, was finally offered a government job a gesture that the LG said was “the administration fulfilling its long-overdue responsibility.” Another case was that of Suhail Majeed, a resident of Anantnag, whose father, Abdul Majeed Wani, was shot dead on August 30, 1994. For 31 years, his family waited for justice, their voices unheard. Today, Suhail walked onto the stage to receive his appointment letter, a moment heavy with unspoken relief. The family of SPO Manzoor Ahmad Rather, from Warpora, Baramulla, endured a similar ordeal. He was killed on February 24, 2000, and for a quarter of a century, his loved ones received no official assistance. His son, Khurshid Ahmad Rather, received his letter on Tuesday, marking the end of a long and lonely struggle. In yet another heart-wrenching account, Parvez Ahmad Dar recalled losing his father, Ghulam Qadir Dar, to terrorist violence on July 6, 1996. Tragedy struck again eight years later when his brother, Aijaz Ahmad Dar, was also killed. For 29 years, the family bore this pain without official recognition. Now, they have at least received a measure of justice.
‘Justice Is Not Only About Punishment’: While the LG promised the “harshest possible punishment” for terrorists and their sympathisers, he was equally clear that justice also means restoring dignity to the victims’ families. “The void in their lives cannot be filled with financial assistance or jobs, but it will be ensured that these families can live with dignity. We will do everything possible for their rehabilitation,” Sinha assured. He reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India had drawn “a new red line” against terrorism. “If terror is state policy, it will be met with a visible and forceful response,” he said, noting that the government’s stance is now unequivocal and uncompromising.
A New Jammu & Kashmir After August 2019: Sinha also used the occasion to reflect on what he called the “transformative journey” of Jammu & Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. He argued that the constitutional provision had emboldened terrorists and created an enabling ecosystem for separatist forces. “Because of Article 370, terrorism increased, and the terror ecosystem was emboldened. On August 5, 2019, the dismantling of this ecosystem began,” the LG said. He contrasted the “old” and “new” J&K in stark terms: “The new Jammu Kashmir is one where jobs are not given to terrorists but to the real martyrs of this Union Territory. It is one where tears are not shed on the death of terrorists, but the tears of common Kashmiris are wiped away. It is one where terrorist elements within the government system are being removed one by one, and where children hold pens, not stones.”
From Remembrance To Resolve: While Tuesday’s ceremony was heavy with remembrance, it also carried a forward-looking message. The LG called on every citizen to “rise against terrorism” and ensure that future generations would not endure the suffering of the past. “Peace is a prerequisite for progress. There is no place for terrorism in a civilized society. Many generations of J&K have suffered the brunt of terrorism perpetrated by the neighbouring country. Every person has to take a pledge that they will not allow this to happen again,” Sinha urged. He saluted the courage of the victims’ families, many of whom have quietly borne their pain, often isolated in their grief. “Your resilience,” he said, “is an inspiration for the whole country.”
Institutionalising Support For Victims’ Families: The ceremony was not just symbolic; it marked the operationalisation of a more structured system to support victims of terrorism. The J&K administration has launched a dedicated web portal to process applications for relief and compassionate appointments more efficiently. District- and divisional-level helplines have also been set up to assist families in navigating the bureaucracy. According to officials, Srinagar was the latest in a series of outreach programmes. Similar events were held on July 13 in Baramulla and July 28 in Jammu, each bringing the administration closer to its goal of settling every genuine case. Those who could not attend the Srinagar event will receive their appointment letters at their respective district headquarters in the coming weeks.
Presence Of Top Officials: The event was attended by a host of senior administrative and police officials, underscoring the importance the government places on the issue. Among those present were Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, Commissioner Secretary GAD M Raju, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, and SSP Srinagar Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy.
“The August 5 ceremony was more than a job distribution; it was a clear message that victims of terrorism will not be forgotten. For the families, the letters meant dignity restored; for the administration, it reaffirmed a pledge to deliver justice and build a peaceful, secure Jammu & Kashmir.”
A Message To Pakistan, Its Proxies: Though the event was primarily about supporting victims, the LG’s remarks also served as a stern warning to those who continue to support or sponsor terrorism in the region. “We will ensure the harshest possible punishment to terror sympathisers. The perpetrators of heinous crimes will receive exemplary punishment,” he said. He added that India’s policy now ensures “equal punishment to terrorists and their sponsors,” signalling that the government will hold not just the gunmen, but also those who enable them, accountable.
August 5, A Symbolic Date: The timing of the event was not accidental. August 5 marks the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, a date the LG framed as the birth of a “new” J&K. For the administration, it was a fitting occasion to demonstrate tangible change — not just in rhetoric, but in action. By linking the distribution of appointment letters to the anniversary, the government underscored its narrative that the post-2019 political environment is one where the victims of terrorism, not its perpetrators, are prioritised.
Kashmir Horizon View: As the last of the 158 recipients left the stage, there was a sense that while no official gesture can truly erase decades of grief, this was at least a long-overdue step towards justice. Many families, clutching their appointment letters, said the jobs would give their children a future their slain loved ones could no longer provide. For the administration, the day was about more than handing out government jobs it was about sending a message: that the sacrifices of civilian martyrs will not be forgotten, that justice, however delayed, will be delivered, and that the future of Jammu & Kashmir will be built not on the ideology of separatism, but on the promise of equality, opportunity, and peace. “The dreams of your father or your mother will now be fulfilled,” the LG told the gathered families. “And we will not rest until every victim of terrorism gets justice.” With the promise of continued support, the LG left the podium, but his words — and the stories of those who stood beside him- will resonate for a long time in the Valley.
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