Opinion | Justice for Terror Victims

For the first time in decades, families of terrorism victims feel that someone is finally listening. It is a beginning — long delayed, but deeply necessary.

For over three decades, thousands of families in Jammu and Kashmir have silently borne the crushing weight of grief, loss, and neglect. Their loved ones were killed in senseless acts of terrorism that ripped apart the social fabric of the Valley. Yet, as the years turned to decades, these victims and their families were largely left to fend for themselves — overlooked by policy and ignored by politics. Until now.At a recent event in Baramulla, the pain of these families was finally acknowledged in a way that felt tangible, when appointment letters were handed over to the next of kin of victims of terrorism. The initiative, driven by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s administration, marks not only an administrative step but a moral reckoning long overdue.

“Every victim of terrorism has the right to live with dignity,” LG Sinha said during the function. These words, simple yet powerful, highlight a truth that has often been missing from the conversation around Jammu and Kashmir: that terrorism’s deepest scars are not always visible, and those who carry them have for too long been left unheard.Historically, victims of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir became invisible in political discourse. Governments came and went, conflict ebbed and flowed, but the families destroyed by violence remained stuck in a limbo of unfulfilled promises. Many were forced to endure bureaucratic hurdles that seemed to question the very truth of their suffering. Even as narratives around victims were shaped and reshaped by politics, little was done to directly address their day-to-day struggles.In this context, the recent move by the administration to offer government jobs to the next of kin of terrorism victims stands out. Importantly, the process was not limited to a symbolic gesture. Within just two weeks of announcing the policy, officials say, the first group of eligible families has received appointment letters. The speed matters — it signals intent and commitment that past initiatives sorely lacked.

Critics might dismiss such steps as mere tokenism. But for the families who have waited decades, the very act of being seen and heard by the state carries profound meaning. For too long, the focus in Jammu and Kashmir has often been drawn to the perpetrators of violence, their motivations, and the politics that surround them. Meanwhile, the real victims — ordinary people whose lives were destroyed in an instant — remained on the margins of public sympathy and policy.This shift is significant not only in terms of governance but in terms of healing. Recognising victims is a moral obligation of any democratic society. It restores a sense of justice, however partial, to people whose suffering has been compounded by silence and indifference. It also sends an unmistakable message: that terrorism, in all its forms, is to be condemned, and its victims must not be forgotten.The initiative is part of a broader approach that LG Sinha’s administration has been pursuing to reach out to the most affected sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, on June 29, LG Sinha met dozens of such families in Anantnag and other districts, where he promised to streamline the verification process that had often trapped these families in years of paperwork and repeated scrutiny. The fact that the first letters have been issued within weeks suggests that the promise was not just rhetorical.

While this measure cannot undo the trauma or bring back the loved ones lost, it can help rebuild shattered lives by providing a measure of economic stability. A secure job in the government sector is more than a paycheck; in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, it offers dignity, security, and a place back in society for families who felt abandoned.Beyond the immediate material benefits, such initiatives also begin to challenge the deeply rooted narrative imbalance in the region. Over the years, political and media discourse has sometimes inadvertently glorified those who took up arms, while the families left behind by their violence were relegated to footnotes. Acknowledging these victims as rightful citizens who deserve justice and opportunity helps rebalance this narrative in favour of peace and humanity.

Of course, the journey does not end here. These steps must be institutionalised so that future administrations cannot roll them back. The verification process, which had become a source of humiliation for many victims’ families, needs to remain streamlined and humane. And most importantly, the benefits offered should not stop at government jobs alone. Educational support for children of victims, health benefits, and social counselling are equally important to help these families truly rebuild their lives.In his address, LG Sinha rightly observed that “victims of terrorism are the real heroes of society, who despite losing everything, keep faith in the system and the nation.” This recognition, coming from the highest office in the Union Territory, is a reminder that statecraft is not merely about security and development statistics; it is also about empathy, justice, and restoring human dignity. For the first time in decades, families of terrorism victims feel that someone is finally listening. It is a beginning — long delayed, but deeply necessary. And it is a step towards building a Jammu and Kashmir where the memory of loss is met not with silence but with solidarity, compassion, and meaningful action.

Author can be reached on aatiflonekashmir@gmail.com