Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said providing government jobs to the next of kin (NoKs) of civilian terror victims is a significant step towards justice, rehabilitation and dignified livelihood, asserting that the administration is committed to ensuring every eligible terror-affected family receives support while continuing efforts to eradicate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here, where appointment letters were distributed among the NoKs of civilian terror victims, Sinha, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), described the occasion as an emotional milestone for families who had waited for decades for justice.
Paying tributes to innocent civilians killed in terrorist violence, the Lieutenant Governor said no government job or financial assistance could compensate for the loss of a loved one, but extending dignified employment to affected families was the government’s responsibility.
“We are committed to ensuring that every eligible terror victim family receives justice and rehabilitation. No compensation can replace a loved one, but it is our duty to help these families live with dignity,” he said.
Reaffirming the administration’s resolve to eliminate terrorism, Sinha said the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, CRPF and civil administration were working in close coordination to dismantle the terror ecosystem.
“Terrorism must end completely. It is necessary not only for the government and security forces but for every common citizen of Jammu and Kashmir. We are determined to uproot terrorism and ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.
Referring to the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor said they marked a historic turning point for Jammu and Kashmir by ending discrimination and extending equal constitutional rights to all sections of society. He said more than 890 Central laws became applicable in the Union Territory following the changes.
Quoting Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech in Parliament on August 5, 2019, Sinha said Shah had noted that more than 41,849 people had lost their lives to terrorism, adding that the constitutional changes had strengthened democracy and ensured equal rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting instances of delayed justice, Sinha said the family of Wali Mohammad Wani of Shopian, who was killed by terrorists in 1993, received relief after 33 years, while the families of Abdul Hamid Bhat of Kupwara and Farooq Ahmad Mir of Tral secured government jobs after waiting for more than two decades.
He said the administration had also restored land and property to several terror victim families and was examining pending cases with sensitivity, assuring that every genuine and eligible family would receive justice.
The Lieutenant Governor said governance in Jammu and Kashmir had become transparent and merit-based, ensuring accountability in recruitment and public service delivery.
“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir do not seek sympathy; they seek opportunities. They have the talent to compete, innovate, build startups and excel in education and sports like the youth in the rest of the country,” he said.
Recalling an interaction with a student from Kupwara, Sinha said academic sessions that once stretched to nearly seven years because of disruptions were now being completed within the prescribed three years, reflecting improved governance and normalcy.
Highlighting the Union Territory’s developmental progress over the past few years, he said Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed major improvements in infrastructure, including roads, tunnels, airports, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, creating new opportunities for youth.
The Lieutenant Governor said the government was working to build a society governed by the rule of law, where disputes were resolved through democratic institutions and dialogue, while lasting peace rested on the foundations of justice, security and equal opportunities.
Paying tributes to the personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF who laid down their lives fighting terrorism, Sinha said their sacrifices had strengthened the resolve to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
“People’s faith in justice has strengthened. We are committed to ensuring that the painful chapters of history are never repeated and that every citizen lives with dignity, security and hope,” he added.—(KNO)
