Srinagar, Aug 5 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday said the government’s decision to provide employment to the next of kin of civilians killed in terror incidents was aimed at ensuring justice, rehabilitation and a dignified livelihood for affected families.
Addressing a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here, where appointment letters were handed over to the families of civilian terror victims, Sinha said the administration would ensure that every eligible family receives the support due to them.
He said no financial assistance or government job could make up for the loss of a loved one, but extending employment to bereaved families was a moral and administrative responsibility.
“The effort is to ensure that every eligible terror-affected family gets justice and rehabilitation. While no compensation can replace a family member, the government is committed to helping them rebuild their lives with dignity,” he said.
The lieutenant governor said the administration remained determined to eliminate terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that security agencies were working in coordination to dismantle the terror network.
“Terrorism has to end completely. It is not only the responsibility of the government and security forces but also of every citizen who wants peace and progress in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Referring to the constitutional changes introduced on August 5, 2019, Sinha said they had ushered in equal constitutional rights and ended what he described as discriminatory provisions. He added that hundreds of Central laws had since become applicable in the Union Territory.
He also cited figures placed in Parliament by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying thousands of lives had been lost to terrorism over the decades and that the post-2019 framework had strengthened democratic institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting what he termed delayed justice for several families, Sinha said the administration had recently provided relief in long-pending cases, including those where families had waited for decades after losing relatives to terror attacks. He said authorities were also restoring land and other properties to affected families wherever eligible and examining pending cases on priority.
The lieutenant governor said governance in the Union Territory had become more transparent and recruitment processes were now based on merit and accountability.
He said the youth of Jammu and Kashmir were looking for opportunities rather than sympathy and had the potential to excel in education, entrepreneurship, innovation and sports.
Sinha also pointed to improvements in education, infrastructure and public services, saying normal academic calendars, better connectivity and expanded healthcare facilities reflected the region’s developmental progress in recent years.
He said the government was committed to building a society based on the rule of law, democratic institutions and equal opportunities, adding that lasting peace could only be achieved through justice and security.
Paying tributes to civilians and personnel of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and CRPF who lost their lives in terror-related incidents, Sinha said their sacrifices would continue to inspire efforts towards a peaceful, secure and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)
