For over three decades, the families of civilian victims of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir have lived in silence, grieving in isolation, struggling in poverty and enduring the trauma of loss without recognition or support. Their stories, buried under the weight of fear and political neglect, are finally being heard. A recent government initiative to rehabilitate these families marks a turning point in the Valley’s long and painful history.
The visit to Dardpora and Kupwara, where LG Manoj Sinha met with families whose members were killed in terror attacks, was not just ceremonial, it was a reckoning. These families, once invisible to the system, are now being acknowledged as survivors of a conflict they never chose to fight. The administration’s pledge to provide employment, housing and dignity is a long-overdue act of justice.
So far, around 250 families have been offered government jobs. For many, this is the first stable income they’ve had in decades. These jobs are more than economic relief; they are a signal that the state recognizes their suffering and is committed to restoring their place in society. Employment brings not just financial stability, but also a sense of purpose and belonging.
Equally significant is the housing initiative launched in partnership with HRDS India. Families whose homes were destroyed in terror attacks will now have new houses built on their own land. The move addresses a fundamental need, shelter and offers a chance to rebuild lives from the ground up. For children who grew up in makeshift shelters and broken homes, a permanent roof is a promise of safety and stability.
But perhaps the most powerful shift is the change in narrative. For years, the pain of these families was suppressed. Speaking out meant risking further alienation or retaliation. Now, their voices are being amplified. Survivors are sharing their stories of fathers killed in front of their children, of mothers left to raise families alone, of dreams shattered by bullets and bombs. These eye accounts are not just cathartic; they are essential to understanding the true cost of terrorism.
Justice, however, is not just about recognition. It is about accountability. The administration has vowed to pursue the perpetrators and dismantle the terror ecosystem that enabled such atrocities. This includes not only those who carried out attacks but also those who supported and justified them. The promise of legal action offers a sense of closure to families who have waited too long for answers.
Valley is changing. Fear is being replaced by spirits. Silence is giving way to evidence. And despair is slowly being eclipsed by hope. This is not just a policy shift; it is a moral awakening. The families of terror victims are no longer statistics. They are citizens with rights, voices and stories that matter.
As the mission continues, it must remain rooted in compassion and justice. Every family affected by terrorism deserves to be heard, supported and empowered. Their suffering cannot be undone, but their future can be rebuilt. This is the beginning of a new chapter, one where Kashmir’s wounds are tended not with indifference, but with care.