LG Manoj Sinha gives jobs to kin of terror victims, says justice will reach every affected family in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday reiterated his resolve to secure justice for every terror victim’s family in the Union Territory.

Addressing a function after handing over appointment letters to 27 next of kin (NoKs) of victims of terrorism at Lok Bhavan, Srinagar, on Sunday, Manoj Sinha said that pending cases would be reopened to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Paying homage to the civilian martyrs, the Lieutenant Governor said that for decades the NoKs of poor and vulnerable brothers and sisters who fell to terrorists’ bullets had clung to the hope of justice. He said the campaign launched from Baramulla last year has provided these families with support, courage and renewed self-belief.

Appointment letters were also handed over to 22 NoKs of deceased government employees under the Jammu and Kashmir Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme–2022 and SRO-43.

“Our campaign to deliver justice to terror victims’ families has restored their tomorrow. We have succeeded in dispelling the shadow of injustice and ushering in a new dawn of justice at the doorsteps of terror victims’ families. To date, around 400 NoKs have received employment, and we will continue relentlessly until we reach the very last family still awaiting justice,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said this was not merely an administrative exercise of signing papers, shuffling files or filling posts, but a profound commitment to justice.

“My aim throughout this process is to ensure that no terror-affected family slips through the cracks of neglect or fades from public and official attention. I view these appointment letters as true justice, and today’s event stands as its living testament,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several important initiatives have been taken over the past five to six years with a singular goal — to build a Jammu and Kashmir that is not defined by the pain of its past but is filled with self-confidence.

“In August 2020, I set the vision of developing a Jammu and Kashmir that measures its strength by the heights of its dreams and builds a system rooted in social justice, dignity, and equal opportunity,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor directed the Principal Secretary, Home, to conduct a comprehensive review of cases related to the alleged encroachment of properties belonging to victims of terrorism.

“I have repeatedly affirmed that lands or homes forcibly seized from terror-affected families will be restored to them, and cases that have yet to be investigated will undergo impartial and transparent probes,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted that the administration remains committed to the rehabilitation of those scarred by terrorism.

“There are many victims of terrorism who have lost their eyesight or are living with severe disabilities. We will chalk out a robust framework for their rehabilitation. The administration has also outlined a timeline for providing essential housing and other support to victims of terrorism,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor called upon people to preserve unity and foil the attempts of separatist elements.

“Adhering to the Prime Minister’s mantra of ‘zero tolerance towards terrorism’, the administration, police and security forces are taking decisive action to dismantle terror networks.

“We must remain vigilant against divisive elements attempting to divide us along sectarian lines. We are Indians, and our collective duty is to ensure the peace and progress of our nation,” he said.

He further said that officials and citizens must work together to strengthen faith in government institutions.