For more than three and a half decades, terrorism cast a long and painful shadow over Jammu and Kashmir. Innocent families lost their loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in a conflict that uprooted social stability and left deep emotional and economic scars. Many survivors were forced to live with grief and insecurity, often without meaningful support or recognition from the system. Today, even though decades have passed and an entire generation has grown up in the aftermath of that violence, efforts to address the suffering of terror victims have assumed renewed importance. The Government’s focus on providing comprehensive assistance to victims of terrorism reflects a broader shift in governance in Jammu and Kashmir. For many years, public discourse and policy largely revolved around managing security challenges. While counter-terrorism operations were essential, the voices and needs of the victims often remained unheard. The present effort seeks to correct that imbalance by placing the victims at the centre of policy action. Employment assistance, financial support, rehabilitation measures, and legal redressal mechanisms are now being actively pursued to ensure that those who suffered the most are not left behind.
One of the most visible manifestations of this policy is the issuance of appointment letters to the next of kin of terror victims. So far, around 400 such appointments have been provided. For families who lost their primary earners to acts of violence, such support can make a meaningful difference in rebuilding their lives. It also sends a powerful message that the sacrifices and suffering of these families have not been forgotten. Equally important is the establishment of institutional mechanisms designed to systematically address grievances that have accumulated over decades. The launch of a dedicated web portal for registering complaints by terror victims is a crucial development. This digital platform allows affected families to submit claims, document losses, and seek assistance through a transparent and accessible process. By compiling district-wise data and monitoring cases such as encroachments on the property of victims, the administration is attempting to create a comprehensive database that can guide policy decisions and ensure accountability. The creation of assistance cells and helplines at both the Jammu and Srinagar Civil Secretariats further strengthens this framework. These platforms serve as direct channels.
These initiatives must also be viewed in the context of the broader security environment that has evolved in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years. Terror modules, hawala networks, and support structures that once sustained militancy have been systematically dismantled through coordinated efforts by security agencies and the administration. The impact of these actions is visible across the region. The culture of stone-pelting that once disrupted daily life has largely disappeared, shutdown calls have lost their relevance, and educational institutions and businesses are functioning with a degree of normalcy that had been absent for decades. This transformation has gradually restored public confidence in the rule of law and the functioning of institutions. In such a peaceful environment, policies aimed at supporting terror victims acquire even greater significance. They reinforce the idea that governance is not limited to maintaining order but also involves healing the wounds inflicted by years of conflict.
Rehabilitation of terror victims, however, is not a process that can be completed overnight. The trauma endured by families who lost loved ones or suffered physical and psychological injuries cannot be erased through a single administrative measure. Rebuilding lives requires sustained engagement, careful verification of claims, and continued institutional commitment. This is a long journey, and each case must be addressed with patience and sensitivity. The ongoing efforts to identify victims, verify claims, and deliver assistance therefore deserve recognition. At the same time, the commitment to pursue the perpetrators of terrorism sends a strong message that justice will not be abandoned, regardless of how much time has passed.
Justice in such cases may take time, but the process itself is vital. Every complaint registered, every victim recognised, and every case investigated represents progress toward closing a painful chapter of history. The wounds inflicted by terrorism cannot be stitched together in a single moment, but consistent and compassionate governance can gradually help heal them. The significance of these initiatives, therefore, extends beyond immediate relief.
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