SRINAGAR, Aug 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s decision to provide government jobs to the next of kin (NoKs) of civilians killed in terrorist violence marks a significant step towards ensuring justice, rehabilitation and dignified livelihoods for affected families.
Addressing a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), where appointment letters were distributed to eligible beneficiaries, the Lieutenant Governor described the initiative as a historic humanitarian measure aimed at restoring hope, dignity and financial security to families that have suffered due to terrorism.
Sinha said no job or financial assistance could ever compensate for the loss of a loved one, but it is the constitutional, moral and humanitarian responsibility of the government to stand by families affected by terror.
“Our commitment is unwavering. Every eligible terror-affected family will receive justice, rehabilitation and the opportunity to rebuild life with dignity. While no compensation can replace those we have lost, the administration will continue extending every possible support to these families,” he said.
Reaffirming the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, the Lieutenant Governor said the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the civil administration are working in close coordination to dismantle the terror ecosystem and ensure lasting peace in the Union Territory.
He stressed that eliminating terrorism is not only the responsibility of security forces but also a collective duty of every citizen committed to peace, stability and development.
Referring to the constitutional changes of August 5, 2019, Sinha described them as a historic turning point that ended decades of discrimination and ensured equal constitutional rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the extension of more than 890 Central laws has strengthened governance, transparency, accountability and equal opportunities across the Union Territory.
Recalling Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s address in Parliament on August 5, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor noted that over 41,000 lives had been lost to terrorism over the years and said the constitutional reforms had further strengthened democratic institutions and legal safeguards.
Highlighting efforts to deliver long-pending justice, Sinha said several terror victim families have recently received relief after waiting for decades. He cited the case of Wali Mohammad Wani of Shopian, whose family received justice 33 years after his killing, while the families of Abdul Hamid Bhat of Kupwara and Farooq Ahmad Mir of Tral secured government employment after waiting for more than two decades.
He said land and property belonging to several terror victim families have also been restored and assured that all pending genuine cases are being examined with compassion, fairness and transparency to ensure timely justice.
The Lieutenant Governor said Jammu and Kashmir has undergone a major transformation in governance, with recruitment processes and public services now being conducted through transparent, merit-based systems that have strengthened public confidence.
Speaking about the aspirations of the youth, Sinha said young people in Jammu and Kashmir seek opportunities rather than sympathy and possess the talent and determination to excel in education, entrepreneurship, innovation and sports.
Sharing an interaction with a student from Kupwara, he said academic sessions that once extended for nearly seven years due to prolonged disruptions are now being completed on schedule, reflecting improved governance, stability and a better educational environment.
Highlighting developmental progress, Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed rapid expansion in road connectivity, tunnel infrastructure, airports, educational institutions and healthcare facilities, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and economic growth.
He reiterated the administration’s commitment to building a society founded on the rule of law, where justice, peace, democratic values and equal opportunities ensure long-term stability and prosperity.
Paying tributes to personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army and the CRPF who laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism, Sinha said their courage and sacrifice continue to inspire the collective resolve to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people’s faith in justice has grown stronger. Our commitment is to ensure that the dark chapters of terrorism never return and that every citizen lives with dignity, security and hope,” he said.
