Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over appointment letters to 37 Next of Kins (NoKs) of civilians who were brutally killed by terrorists in the past few years. He said that it is a profound honour to stand with the families of terror victims on this historic day. He said it is not merely about appointment letters but also about remembrance of martyrs, justice to terror victim families, and the reaffirmation of our national will.
“My heartfelt tribute to the innocent civilians martyred by terrorists and I salute the families who, after decades of anguish and wait, now hold appointment letters that restore dignity and livelihood. For several decades, the pain of terror victim families remained unacknowledged, their wounds unseen. Terrorism tore apart homes and cast futures into uncertainty”, LG Sinha asserted.
“No statistical figures can capture the anguish and suffering of the terror victim families. The pain lives in memories and in the quiet endurance of those who carried on despite unbearable loss. Today’s appointment letters are not just documents of employment but they are symbols of social justice, recognition and the nation’s solemn promise that its martyrs will never be forgotten, nor their families abandoned”, LG Sinha further added.
He also stated that India’s commitment to justice and equality is reflected in decisive action. After August 5, 2019, the day when Article 370 and Article 35-A were removed from the Constitution, the terror ecosystem has been demolished to a large extent. Besides, law and order has been strengthened and there has been restoration of equal rights. The abrogation has also created opportunities that allow families to rebuild their lives with confidence.
“The transformation we witness today in Jammu Kashmir is due to the historic changes of August 5, 2019. That day marked a constitutional correction and a new beginning for the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir. Discriminatory barriers were removed, equal rights were extended to those who were suffering due to discriminatory laws. The principle of one nation, one flag, one constitution was fully implemented and one standard of dignity, justice and opportunity for all the Indian citizens was upheld”, LG Sinha asserted.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several marginalized groups, tribals, displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb refugees have received legal rights. These rights included full citizenship, voting rights and ownership rights over property under the Constitution of India. Farmers and artisans, LG Sinha said, are creating new opportunities. Our universities, colleges, research and incubation centres are preparing the new generation for global competition.
LG Sinha noted that the terror victim families receiving appointment letters today are among the many beneficiaries of this new order post abrogation of Article 370. “Their cases, delayed for decades, have finally been addressed. This is not compensation for loss because no money, no job, no paper can replace a loved one. It is, however, an assurance that the nation stands beside them and we are determined to help rebuild lives and restore dignity”, he pointed out.
He also highlighted that due to Article 370 and 35 A, the terror ecosystem was operating with impunity and their aim was to fracture the society, spread fear and silence the hope and dream. “After abrogation of Article 370, the attempt of neighbouring country and terror ecosystem operating in the valley was foiled. The people of Jammu Kashmir have chosen peace over violence, education over indoctrination, jobs over dependency and dignity over despair. The young generation deserve a future free of fear and that is the future we are building together under the leadership of Mr Modi,” he said.
The LG observed that the government is working for justice, development and inclusion. He said peace must be anchored in opportunity. “A society that trusts its institutions becomes resilient against fear. A family that receives services without discrimination becomes a stakeholder in peace and progress. A youth empowered with education and employment is empowered to fight separatism and terrorism. Justice for terror victims is moving with speed and sincerity because it is a national obligation”, LG Sinha reiterated.
“No grievance is being ignored, no family will be left invisible. Justice delayed has caused enough suffering. Now justice to the terror victim families is timely, humane, responsive and consistent. This day also sends a message to the enemies of peace that terrorism cannot defeat a determined nation. Its handlers from across the border may conspire in darkness, but the light of justice will find them. Jammu Kashmir’s future will be written by its youth, its workers, its farmers, its teachers, its women and all who believe in peace and progress,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon people to remember this day as a turning point, when wounds of common man were acknowledged and suffering was met with swift action. On this day, equal rights were provided to all, discriminatory laws were revoked and the nation renewed its resolve to secure a brighter future for Jammu & Kashmir.
“We are absolutely clear about dismantling the terror network, to bring its perpetrators and enablers to justice and to secure for every citizen of UT a life of peace, equality and hope. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the shadows of discrimination lifted in 2019, ushering in a new era of social justice and inclusive development. Today, Jammu & Kashmir is advancing with renewed confidence and all-around development is driving peace and prosperity.
“By ending the system that bred discrimination and terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear that in Jammu Kashmir, lamps of prosperity would not burn only in a select few palaces but also in the huts of the poor. Today, after 33 years, a lamp has been lit in the home of martyr Wali Mohammad Wani of Shopian.
“On July 16, 1993, Wali Mohammad was killed by terrorists. Today, not only his family but the entire Shopian feels connected to the national mainstream”, he said. The LG said that the Industrial growth witnessed by Jammu & Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370 is unprecedented. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also fulfilled the decades-long dream of rail travel from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, he added.
“In the financial year 2025-26, investment in Jammu & Kashmir amounted to Rs 5,824 crore, which is 13 times the average investment in the period before 2021. Jammu Airport and Srinagar Airport are being expanded and connectivity is being further strengthened by GoI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to double hydroelectric power generation by 2028,” LG Sinha further said.
Issuing a stern warning to conflict profiteers, the LG said that the days of those with corrupt intentions including individuals attempting to influence the system are officially over. He warned that anyone trying to cause disruptions will face severe consequences.
Appointment letters were also handed over to 32 beneficiaries under Compassionate Appointment Rules SRO-43 and Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS). Mr Sinha said timely justice for terror-affected families was a national obligation and maintained that no genuine grievance or affected family would be left without government support.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, DGP Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, Commissioner Secretary, GAD, M Raju, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Chairman, Save Youth Save Future Foundation Wajahat Farooq Bhat and other members of the Foundation, senior officials, members of various social organisations and family members of victims of terrorism were present on the occasion.
