KD NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, Dec 11: In a solemn yet momentous ceremony held in Jammu, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over government job appointment letters to 41 Next of Kin (NoKs) of civilians killed in terror-related incidents in the Jammu division. The event marked another significant step in the administration’s ongoing endeavour to deliver long-overdue justice and dignity to families shattered by decades of Pakistan-backed terrorism.
Along with these appointments, letters were also issued to 22 beneficiaries eligible under age-relaxation provisions and to 19 wards of Jammu and Kashmir Police martyrs under the Compassionate Appointment Rules (SRO-43) and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme. Earlier on 28 July this year, the Lieutenant Governor had similarly provided appointment letters to 94 NoKs. With the latest round, relief has now reached 135 families from the Jammu division who, for many years, were left without recognition or support despite bearing the gravest personal losses.
During the ceremony, several families came forward to recount their painful journeys, speaking candidly about their struggles, fear and the lack of institutional support that defined their lives for decades. Many detailed how Pakistan-sponsored terrorists and their local collaborators had devastated their families and communities, leaving deep scars that continued to shape their daily existence.
Addressing the gathering, LG Sinha paid heartfelt tribute to the civilian martyrs and expressed solidarity with their families. He said that for too long these families were forced to live in silence, carrying unbearable emotional and financial burdens without any hope of support. He stressed that the present administration is committed to recognising their sacrifices, restoring their dignity and ensuring that they are integrated back into mainstream development with the same respect and opportunity as any citizen. He said the government’s actions reflect the nation’s determination to stand firmly with genuine victims of terror and the families of true martyrs.
To illustrate the magnitude of suffering endured by such families, LG Sinha recalled three particularly harrowing incidents. He spoke of Naseeb Singh from Rajouri, whose father Dharam Singh and four others were brutally killed by terrorists on 28 June 2005. For twenty years, the family lived in fear and insecurity, waiting endlessly for relief that never came. He also mentioned the family of Akhtar Hussain of Reasi, who was shot dead in July 2005, leaving behind a traumatised household that struggled for two decades. Similarly, he recounted the case of SPO Sanjeet Kumar from Kishtwar, who was murdered along with his friend in November 2004 while preparing for a neighbour’s wedding. The LG said these families carried the weight of grief that words cannot adequately describe, and that the government is determined to ensure they finally receive the support they deserve.
LG Sinha asserted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the administration has succeeded in dismantling the terror ecosystem that once thrived in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that peace has been established through firm governance rather than compromise, and that the era of misgovernance which allowed terrorists and separatists to manipulate public institutions is now over. With the abrogation of Article 370, he said, a structural shift has taken place—those involved in terrorism or separatist activities are no longer given government jobs but are instead being identified and punished as per law.
The Lieutenant Governor also issued a stern warning to individuals attempting to spread misinformation or revive separatist narratives. He said that elements from a “dying terror ecosystem” continue to peddle negativity, but strict action under established legal frameworks will be taken against anyone who threatens national unity. He stressed that those who fan separatism must be prepared to face the consequences.
Calling development a “Mahayagya,” LG Sinha urged people from all walks of life to contribute selflessly to the ongoing progress in Jammu and Kashmir. He said the administration’s mission is not only to provide relief but to empower families who were deliberately deprived of justice so they can actively participate in nation-building.
The event was attended by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti, Commissioner Secretary GAD M. Raju, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, Inspector General of Police Jammu Bhim Sen Tuti, deputy commissioners of several districts, elected legislators, members of social organisations and a large number of family members of terror victims. Their presence highlighted the collective commitment to acknowledging the suffering of these families and ensuring that their long-delayed rehabilitation continues with sincerity and urgency.
If you’d like, I can provide an even more polished editorial-style version or compress it into a front-page length report.
