Paying tributes to civilian martyrs of Kashmir who were eliminated by Pakistan-backed terrorists, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha saluted the courage and perseverance of families who had suffered. He was speaking at a function in Srinagar recently that was organised to distribute appointment letters among the families of victims of terrorism.
Sinha said he will do everything possible for rehabilitation of terror victims. “It is my promise to the Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victim families that perpetrators of heinous crime will receive exemplary punishment.
“I assure the family members of civilian martyrs that I will not rest until every family that has been a victim of the terrorists’ atrocities gets justice,” Sinha said.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has drawn a new red line against terrorism and severe punishment will be given to terrorists and their sponsors. India has made it clear that if terror is state policy, it will be met with a visible and forceful response,”Sinha said.
“On August 5 2019, a new J&K was born. A new J&K that had dreams of a golden future in its eyes. A new J&K which treated all its citizens as equal and removed discrimination that was prevalent for seven decades,” Mr Sinha said.
“Because of Article 370, terrorism increased and the terror ecosystem was emboldened. On August 5, 2019, the dismantling of terror ecosystem had started in right earnest,” he said.
When people asked me what was new J&K, I want to tell them that the new J&K is one where jobs are not given to terrorists but to the real martyrs of this Union Territory (UT). The new J&K is one where tears are not shed on the death of terrorists but the tears of common Kashmiris are wiped away,” he pointed out.
“This new J&K is one where the terrorist elements sitting in the government system are being cleaned out one by one and the decades-old wounds of terror victim families are being healed,” he added.
This was clearly a reference to summary dismissal of several government employees found involved in secessionism and separatist activities under Article 311 of the Indian Constitution.
The new J&K is one where common Kashmiris are being embraced and not the separatists. The new J&K is one where children have pens in their hands and not stones, Sinha said.
He handed over appointment letters to 158 Next of Kins (NoKs) of Kashmiri Civilians killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
Some families of terror victims narrated their traumatic experiences. They exposed the injustice perpetrated by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and their sympathizers against their families.
The LG paid his heartfelt tribute to civilian martyrs and saluted the courage and perseverance of families who have suffered from terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.
“Wounds that have persisted for decades are now being healed. The landmark event provided a sense of closure to the families who have silently suffered trauma for years.
For more than three decades, the terror state Pakistan is shedding innocent blood through its proxy terrorist outfits. Time did not erase the pain of loss. Invisible scars on their soul can be felt and the mute eyes are witness to many unfulfilled dreams.
The long wait for justice and for healing to begin is over for the terror victim families. They have come out to reveal the role of Pakistani terrorists and terror ecosystem that was operating in J&K,” Sinha said.
He recounted the tragic account of Abdul Majid Mir’s family, whose lives were shattered on June 29, 2004. On that day, Abdul Majid, from Sheikhpura, Baramulla, was kidnapped and brutally murdered by terrorists.
“Abdul Majid’s family lost their sole breadwinner and received Rs 1 lakh as an ex-gratia payment under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme. Despite Abdul Majid Mir’s martyrdom, his family struggled to live a life of dignity. Today, by providing a government job to his son, Mudasir Majid, the administration has fulfilled its long-overdue responsibility.
After three decades of hardship, justice has finally been delivered to Suhail Majeed and his family.” Today, Suhail, a resident of Anantnag, received an appointment letter for the government job. His father, Abdul Majeed Wani, was shot dead by Pakistan-backed terrorists on August 30, 1994. Justice has been finally delivered to the family after 31 years.
On February 24, 2000, SPO Manzoor Ahmad Rather, a resident of Warpora, Baramulla, was killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. For 25 years, his family received no compensation. Today his son Khurshid Ahmad Rather has received an appointment letter. Traumatic period for the family is finally over.
For Parvez Ahmad Dar, the path to justice was painful. On July 6, 1996, terrorists killed his father, Ghulam Qadir Dar. On July 30, 2004, his brother, Aijaz Ahmad Dar, was also killed by terrorists and 29 years after his father’s death, Parvez’s nightmare is over,” the LG said.
He observed that the void in the lives of terror victims’ families 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 the rehabilitation of terror victims. It is my promise to the NoKs of terror victim families that perpetrators of heinous crime will receive exemplary punishment. We will also ensure the harshest possible punishment to terror sympathisers.
I assure the family members of civilian martyrs that I will not rest until every family that has been a victim of the terrorists’ atrocities gets justice. I want to tell the loved ones of martyrs that the dreams of your father or your mother will now be fulfilled,” Sinha said.
On the occasion, he also spoke on the transformative journey of J&K after abrogation of Article 370.
Sinha observed that, because of Article 370, terrorism had increased and the terror ecosystem was emboldened. He said, on 5 August 2019, the dismantling of terror ecosystem had begun.
“On 5 August 2019, a new Jammu & Kashmir was born. A new J&K that had dreams of a golden future in its eyes. A new J&K which treated all its citizens as equal and removed discrimination that was prevalent for seven decades.
People ask me what is new J&K. I want to tell them that the new J&K is one where jobs are not given to terrorists but to the real martyrs of this UT. The new J&K is one where tears are not shed on the death of terrorists but the tears of common Kashmiris are wiped away.
The new J&K is one where the terrorist elements sitting in the government system are being cleaned out one by one and the decades-old wounds of terror victim families are being healed.
The new J&K is one where common Kashmiris are being embraced and not the separatists. The new J&K is one where children have pens in their hands and not stones,” the LG said.
Sinha called upon every section of the society to rise against terrorism. ‘Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has drawn a new red line against terrorism and equal punishment will be given to terrorists and their sponsors. India has made it clear that if terror is state policy, it will be met with a visible and forceful response.
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 said.
He acommended the administrative and police officials for addressing the issues and grievances of terror victim families with utmost sensitivity and sincerity.
Following the historic events on July 13th in Baramulla and July 28th in Jammu, today’s event in Srinagar marks another significant milestone. It reaffirms the commitment of the Government of India and the J&K
Administration, to deliver justice to victims of terrorism. Today, a total of 158 Next of Kin (NoKs) of terror victim families received their appointment letters from the LG in Srinagar. The remaining will soon be handed over the appointment letters at their respective district headquarters. This process will continue till every genuine case is settled.
J&K Administration has developed a web portal to streamline and expedite the process of providing relief, compassionate appointments, and other forms of assistance to those who have suffered from terrorism in the UT. Helplines have also been established at District and Divisional Level.
Chief Secretary, Shri Atal Dulloo; DGP, Nalin Prabhat; Principal Secretary Home, Chandraker Bharti; Commissioner Secretary GAD, M Raju; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri; VK Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo; SSP Srinagar, Dr.G.V.Sundeep Chakravarthy, senior administrative and police officials and family members of victims of terrorism were present.
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