The long and painful history of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir has often been told through the lens of geopolitics, strategy, and security. Yet, beneath these narratives lies an untold human story, that of families who lost everything to the violence orchestrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists. For decades, their grief was compounded not only by personal loss but by systemic neglect. Justice remained delayed, rehabilitation inadequate, and dignity often denied. Today, there appears to be a deliberate shift, a move from rhetoric to responsibility, from symbolic gestures to substantive redressal, and from marginalization to empowerment. The recent outreach to terror victim families in Kupwara marks more than an administrative act; it represents a moral correction long overdue.
The wounds inflicted on the people of Jammu and Kashmir were not only physical but also psychological and generational. Families in regions like Dardpora, which came to be known as the “village of widows,” lived for years on the edge of despair. Their loved ones were not just murdered; their lives were erased from the collective conscience of a conflict-ridden society. Many families were left to fend for themselves, deprived of social security, employment, and even a sense of belonging. The new approach toward rehabilitation, providing government jobs, rebuilding homes, and restoring the dignity of those abandoned by history, is an acknowledgment that governance, at its core, must also be an act of healing. Compassionate governance in post-conflict societies requires more than financial aid. It requires empathy institutionalized through policy. The government’s initiative to provide employment to around 250 families of terror victims and to collaborate with social organizations for reconstructing homes on private land represents the beginning of restorative justice. For the first time in decades, the state seems to be confronting not only the perpetrators of terror but also its own past failures. The acknowledgment that victims were denied rights and opportunities by systemic barriers is a crucial step toward accountability. Recognition is the first form of justice. However, the process of rehabilitation must not be reduced to welfare distribution. The real challenge lies in ensuring that these families are reintegrated into the social and economic fabric with self-reliance and dignity. Financial compensation or jobs can offer temporary relief, but long-term empowerment demands education, skill development, psychological counselling, and community inclusion. For widows and children who have lived with trauma for decades, justice must mean not just survival but restoration of agency. The emotional rehabilitation of victims should be seen as an essential component of peacebuilding, not an optional add-on. It is also critical to confront the political and ideological narratives that prolonged their suffering. For over three decades, a false discourse crafted by Pakistan and echoed by its local proxies sought to sanitize terrorism as a form of resistance, conveniently erasing the human cost of violence. Thousands of civilians, particularly in border districts like Kupwara, Baramulla, and Rajouri, paid the price for this deception. By exposing these narratives and holding their propagators accountable, the administration is not merely pursuing justice for victims; it is reclaiming the moral clarity of Kashmir’s conflict, where innocent lives must never again be overshadowed by political distortions. Yet, the journey toward complete justice is far from over. Many terror victim families still live in poverty and isolation, lacking access to basic healthcare, education, and psychological support. The administration’s promise of sensitivity and responsibility must translate into consistent action, not one-time relief or seasonal attention. Transparency in identifying beneficiaries, timely disbursal of aid, and local participation in rehabilitation planning are essential to avoid bureaucratic complacency. Equally important is ensuring that victims are not defined by their tragedy but by their potential. Empowering them to lead normal, dignified lives will mark the real victory over terrorism. In the larger context, Jammu and Kashmir’s transition from conflict to recovery depends on how it treats its most wounded citizens. The pursuit of justice for terror victims is not just a humanitarian obligation but a political necessity for restoring trust in governance. Healing these families is not separate from rebuilding the region; it is integral to it. Restorative governance, therefore, must balance compassion with accountability, welfare with empowerment, and remembrance with resilience. If peace is to be meaningful, it must reach those who have known the deepest pain. The story of Kupwara’s terror victims is not one of despair alone; it is now a story of rediscovery, of a people reclaiming their right to live with dignity. The state’s responsibility is to ensure that this hope endures. For justice delayed can still be justice redeemed if it is pursued with sincerity, humanity, and an unbroken commitment to truth.
The government has taken commendable steps toward bringing justice and dignity to terror-affected families, yet this effort must evolve into a sustained and structured policy framework rather than episodic relief. True justice lies in ensuring transparency, accountability, and human dignity through consistent action. Compassion must be institutionalized with empathy and moral courage so that governance not only addresses the wounds of conflict but also rebuilds enduring trust and faith in democracy.