Opinion | LG Sinha Brings Hope to Families of Terror Victims

This jobs initiative carries a meaning far deeper than socioeconomic rehabilitation. It is a powerful metaphor for healing. In a land riddled with pain, it is a sign that the state acknowledges suffering, values sacrifice, and offers a future of stability rather than only words of condolence.

A new ray of hope is taking shape, one that reaches beyond words and rhetoric. Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has initiated an ambitious programme to provide government jobs to the next of kin of civilians killed by terrorists. At last, this promise of compassionate employment is transforming into tangible reality. On June 29, during an outreach in Anantnag, the Lieutenant Governor pledged that eligible family members of terror victims would receive job placements within 30 days. Remarkably, within half that time the promise was fulfilled. On July 13 in Baramulla, appointment letters were handed to the families. By July 28 in Jammu, another 80 families received theirs, bringing the total in just a fortnight to 120 families who had until then been overlooked or forgotten. This cascading rollout culminated in a landmark event on August 5, the sixth anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation. Nearly 158 more next of kin received job letters during a moving ceremony in Srinagar, making it the third such distribution in about a month.

These are not mere statistics. Behind every job letter lies a human story of resilience, silence, and patience. Take the family of Abdul Majid Mir from Baramulla who was abducted and killed by terrorists in 2004. His son, Mudasir, finally received a government job, a moment of dignity restored after two decades of struggle. Or consider Suhail Majeed of Anantnag whose father was killed in 1994. After 31 years, Suhail’s appointment brings both closure and a future. Then there is Khurshid Ahmad Rather, grieving the loss of his father from 25 years ago, and Parvez Ahmad Dar who lost both his father and brother. For them too, the letters handed over are more than just jobs. They are recognition that their suffering was not invisible, that justice though delayed has at last found them.

To ensure the process is transparent and genuinely supportive, the administration launched a dedicated web portal crafted in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre. The portal centralizes data on terrorism affected families, tracks claims, and prevents duplication or oversight. Complementing this, toll free helplines have been established at the divisional and district levels. Affected families can register grievances related to compensation, appointments, or unresolved police cases. Control rooms monitor these submissions to ensure action is taken promptly. Grievance redressal cells have also been set up in sensitive districts like Jammu, Udhampur, and Rajouri under Jammu and Kashmir Police to provide direct assistance to families in need.

This initiative is not merely a welfare measure but also a symbolic resetting of values. The Lieutenant Governor himself has often remarked that this is a new Jammu and Kashmir where jobs go to martyrs, not to terrorists. For decades the families of victims were ignored, silenced, or pushed into the shadows by propaganda and neglect. Today, bringing their struggles into light through institutional support serves not only justice but also truth and social recognition.

There are still challenges ahead. While the speed and sincerity of this effort are laudable, the true test lies in inclusivity and continuity. The administration must continue to ensure that no family is left behind, especially those in remote districts or from marginalized communities. Families whose cases were mishandled in the past, whose FIRs were never registered, or whose compensation was delayed for decades must be given equal attention. Swift justice for them is just as important as the new appointments being handed out. Sustaining transparency and oversight is equally crucial. It is one thing to deliver on political promises but quite another to maintain systems that keep living memories alive. The success of the helplines, the grievance redressal cells, and the web portal will ultimately depend on how effectively they are monitored and kept responsive.

This jobs initiative carries a meaning far deeper than socioeconomic rehabilitation. It is a powerful metaphor for healing. In a land riddled with pain, it is a sign that the state acknowledges suffering, values sacrifice, and offers a future of stability rather than only words of condolence. Each appointment letter handed over is a story retold, a reminder that decades of silence can be met with empathy, and that forgotten losses can be recognized with dignity and compassion.

In transforming promises into appointments, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the Jammu and Kashmir administration have set a precedent of governance rooted in humanity. By speaking with the language of jobs, institutions, and policies, and responding with compassion and speed, they have lit a way forward for many grieving households. This is not the end of the journey, but it is a meaningful beginning.

Writer can be reached on : syedjahanzeeb2@gmail.com