The renewed focus on providing employment-based support to families affected by terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir marks an important and humane shift in the state’s approach to rehabilitation. For many years, countless families lived with unspoken trauma and uncertainty, carrying the weight of their loss without the reassurance of institutional care. Their hardships, often endured quietly, reflected a gap between their needs and the support available to them. The recent decision to extend government appointment letters to the next of kin of terror victims is, therefore, more than a policy measure; it is a meaningful step towards restoring dignity and stability to households that have suffered deeply over decades.
Compassionate appointments have long provided a sense of relief to families who suddenly lose their primary earners to violence. In regions like Jammu Division, where tragedy touched many homes, the gesture assumes even greater significance. Each appointment letter represents renewed hope and reassurance that the state acknowledges their sacrifices. With employment extended to 41 families of terror victims, along with additional support to age-relaxation cases and wards of police martyrs, the administration has taken steps to correct long delays and provide long-awaited security to households that had endured years of uncertainty. The personal stories behind these families reflect the emotional depth of this initiative. In places like Rajouri, Reasi, and Kishtwar, young children grew up without fathers, and spouses struggled alone to keep their families together. For them, receiving employment support is not just financial assistance but a moment of emotional relief, a signal that their loss has not been forgotten. This shift from years of waiting to a moment of recognition shows how welfare delivery systems are evolving to better respond to the needs of those most affected by conflict. Employment in such cases becomes a source of healing as well as stability. It helps families rebuild their lives gradually, offering them a chance to look ahead with confidence. It also strengthens the idea that governance can be compassionate and responsive, especially in regions recovering from long periods of conflict. When families of martyrs receive support, it reinforces the belief that their sacrifices form a meaningful part of the nation’s shared journey toward peace and resilience. These efforts also contribute to strengthening social harmony. Ensuring that affected families receive timely support helps rebuild trust and allows them to participate more fully in the region’s development. While no policy can completely erase the pain of loss, initiatives like these provide a foundation on which families can rebuild and reconnect with a sense of normalcy. By embracing an approach that values economic stability, emotional well-being, and social integration, Jammu and Kashmir can continue moving toward a more caring and inclusive future. Supporting families who have suffered due to terrorism is not only an administrative responsibility but also an affirmation of shared humanity.
The latest compassionate appointments mark an important and overdue step toward honouring families who have endured unimaginable loss, and the effort rightly signals that the administration now stands firmly with those long ignored. Yet this commitment must go further and move faster. Verification delays, inconsistent assistance, and gaps in long-term rehabilitation still burden many households. What these families deserve is not episodic relief but a structured, permanent support system that safeguards their dignity, economic security, and future prospects. Strengthening counselling services, skill programmes, and sustained livelihood pathways will ensure that justice is not symbolic but truly transformative for every victim’s family in Jammu and Kashmir.