BARAMULLA — In an emotionally charged event, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over government appointment letters to families of militancy victims, marking a historic step toward acknowledging their suffering and restoring their dignity after decades of neglect.
For the first time in over 20 years, survivors and next of kin (NoK) of those killed by militants broke their silence, expressing gratitude for an administration that finally “understood their pain.” Many victims, who had lived in fear and isolation, shared harrowing accounts of loss—only to be ignored by successive governments—until now.
‘Someone finally heard us’
Suhail Yousuf Shah from Kupwara, whose mother and uncle were killed by militants in 2002, fought back tears as he spoke. “No one ever asked about us. Today, LG Sinha made us feel like we matter,” he said. His mother, blinded before her death, never received justice—until now.
Fayaz Ahmed Sheikh from Sheeri Baramulla, who lost his father to a militant attack, recalled years of helplessness. “They shot him dead in the street. For years, the system mocked our suffering,” he said. He appealed for reservations for militancy victims’ families, akin to those for SC/ST communities, so their children “know the nation stood by them.”
Irshad Ahmad of Kupwara recounted the 2004 abduction and murder of his brother, a Special Police Officer (SPO), by militants. “They took him from our home. We found his body dumped in an orchard. No one cared—until today.”
Asha Begum, a widow from Handwara, broke down while describing how militants killed her husband in 1994, leaving her with four daughters. “For 30 years, we were forgotten. Today, someone finally listened.”
LG Sinha: ‘Era of false narratives is over’
Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha condemned years of propaganda that “glorified terrorists and vilified security forces.” He vowed legal action against those promoting pro-militancy narratives, warning, “Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to spread Pakistan’s terror agenda.”
He admitted past failures, saying, “Killers got jobs while victims begged. That ends now.”
A new roadmap for justice
The administration has rolled out a comprehensive plan to address decades of injustice. Under the new initiative, government jobs will be provided to eligible family members of victims after thorough verification.
Financial assistance will be extended to those who have received no support so far, with nodal agencies ensuring proper scrutiny. For larger families with multiple dependents, self-employment opportunities will be facilitated through schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, offering loans up to ₹20 lakh without the need for guarantors.
Additionally, long-pending grievances—including unregistered FIRs and illegally seized properties—will be reopened and investigated, with rightful ownership restored wherever applicable.
A new dawn for long-forgotten victims
Raja Begum, whose husband and three family members were murdered in 1999 for refusing militants shelter, received an appointment letter after 26 years. “Decades of suffering ended today,” she said.
LG Sinha called June 29—when he first met grieving families in Anantnag—a “historic day,” launching a helpline that resolved 254 cases in 14 days.
“You are our family,” he told the victims. “Claim your rights. We will wipe your tears.” (With KNO inputs)
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