Associated News Bureau

LG Hands Over Government Job Appointments to 37 Families of Terror Victims

Srinagar, Aug. 5: In a significant rehabilitation initiative for families affected by terrorism, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today handed over appointment letters to 37 Next of Kins (NoKs) of civilians killed in terrorist incidents, describing the move as a step towards ensuring justice, restoring dignity and providing sustainable livelihood support to the victims' families. Addressing the beneficiaries, the Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to civilians who lost their lives in terrorist violence and said the appointment letters represented the nation's recognition of their sacrifices and its commitment to standing by families that had endured decades of grief and hardship. Sinha said the administration remained firmly committed to dismantling the terror ecosystem, bringing perpetrators and their supporters to justice, and ensuring peace, equality and development across Jammu and Kashmir. He said long-pending cases of terror victims' families were being addressed with urgency, adding that justice for such families was a national responsibility. While acknowledging that no government job or financial assistance could compensate for the loss of a loved one, the Lieutenant Governor said the initiative reflected the government's resolve to restore dignity and provide meaningful support to the affected families. Referring to the prevailing security scenario, Sinha reiterated the administration's determination to eliminate terrorism and warned that those involved in sponsoring or facilitating terror activities would be brought to justice. He added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had increasingly embraced peace, education, employment and development over violence and instability. Highlighting the Union Territory's development trajectory, the Lieutenant Governor said Jammu and Kashmir had witnessed significant progress in infrastructure, industrial investment and connectivity in recent years. He also referred to the expansion of Jammu and Srinagar airports, improved railway connectivity and increased investment as indicators of sustained economic growth. Recalling the killing of civilian Wali Mohammad Wani of Shopian in 1993, Sinha said the appointment extended to his family after more than three decades reflected the government's commitment to addressing long-pending grievances of terror victims with compassion and sincerity. The Lieutenant Governor also distributed appointment letters to 32 beneficiaries under the Compassionate Appointment Rules (SRO-43) and the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS). Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, Principal Secretary, Home, Chandraker Bharti, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, M. Raju, Inspector General of Police Kashmir V.K. Birdi, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, Chairman of Save Youth Save Future Foundation Wajahat Farooq Bhat, senior civil and police officers, representatives of social organisations and family members of terror victims attended the event. ANB