158 kin of terror victim families given appointment letters
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 5: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today termed August 5 as the date of justice for Jammu and Kashmir and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a bold and historic decision by abrogating Article 370 in 2019, giving birth to Naya J&K.
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Speaking at a ceremony organized to handover the appointment letters to 158 Next of Kins (NoKs) of terror victims, LG said that those who operated and sustained the terror ecosystem within J&K are just as responsible as Pakistan for the bloodshed and suffering.
“Over the past six years, the common people of Jammu and Kashmir have come to understand how separatism and terrorism were deliberately nurtured in the region. Thousands of innocent civilians lost their lives to terror,” he said.
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“For decades, the destiny of this region remained in the hands of those who thrived on fear and violence. But after August 5, 2019, that changed – the power to shape your future was returned to you,” Sinha said
The LG said that the Government has launched a dedicated portal to document and support terror victim families. “We are rehabilitating the families on a war footing. The family of a slain SPO had to face social boycott, his widow and daughters struggled alone. I assure them – justice and jobs will be provided,” he added.
“We are duty-bound to stand by the martyrs’ families. While we can’t fill the void left by their loss, we can ensure they live a dignified life” he said.
While narrating stories of families who lost loved ones to terror, Sinha assured them that their wait for justice was over. “Many elderly people passed away waiting for justice. But now, the justice has been done.”
“I pay tribute to all the martyrs who became victims of Pak-sponsored terrorism. For over three decades, the terrorist nation spilled the blood of innocent Kashmiris. The pain endured by the terror victim families can’t be translated into words,” he said.
The LG said 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,” he said, adding, “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,” he said.
“Many families lived under constant threat and intimidation for over 30 years. Today, that fear has begun to fade. They now see a ray of hope. I know each one of you had been waiting for this Naya Jammu and Kashmir – and it has become a reality,” the LG said.
Sinha said that in Naya Kashmir terrorists are not given Government jobs, but the families of martyrs are honored and empowered. “Here, tears are not shed for terrorists, but the tears of common Kashmiris are wiped with compassion.”
“In Naya J&K, children hold pens instead of stones, Pakistan no longer dictates shutdown calendars – the Government issues event calendars, youth take out Tiranga rallies in Pulwama, schools and colleges remain open year-round, separatists are no longer glorified – common Kashmiris are.”
“On 5 August 2019, a new Jammu Kashmir was born. A new Jammu Kashmir that had dreams of a golden future in its eyes. A new Jammu Kashmir, which treated all its citizens as equal and removed discrimination that was prevalent for seven decades.”
The LG said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India has drawn a new redline 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.”
Sinha highlighted the resolve of the security forces who avenged Pahalgam terror attack by neutralizing the three terrorists involved. “Earlier in May, nine terror camps were destroyed deep inside Pakistan and PoJK. PM Modi has made it clear that any act of terror against Indian citizens will be considered an act of war, and those responsible will pay a heavy price,” he said.
“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.”
The LG also commended the Administrative and Police officials for addressing the issues and grievances of terror victim families with utmost sensitivity and sincerity.
A total of 158 appointment letters were distributed by LG Sinha himself to victims and their family members from north, south and central Kashmir.
The LG shared 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.”
One of the victims Samena of Anantnag district said: “For the first time in 29 years, someone in power looked at us with compassion. Today, we felt heard. LG Manoj Sinha gave us justice, not sympathy.”
Chief Secretary, 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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