Silent Tears Find Voice

In the quiet corners of countless homes across Jammu and Kashmir, families have lived for decades with an absence that no words or compensation could ever truly fill. The loss of a loved one to terrorism leaves behind more than just grief; it leaves behind a silence, a longing for justice, and often, a life paused in uncertainty. With the recent handover of appointment letters to 158 Next of Kin (NoKs) of civilian victims of terrorism, the administration has taken a compassionate step toward acknowledging that long-standing pain and gently helping these families find a path forward.

These appointments are not merely about offering jobs; they represent something deeper, an official recognition of the sorrow endured and a sincere attempt to restore dignity and stability to families who have been through unimaginable trauma. Over the years, many of these families continued their lives quietly, holding on to memories, waiting for a day when someone would pause, listen, and act. That day has finally come for many, and while it may not erase the loss, it offers a renewed sense of belonging and hope. This effort reflects a shift in how rehabilitation is viewed in Jammu and Kashmir. Where once silence and bureaucratic delays were the norm, there is now a growing understanding that healing must be holistic. By providing employment to the children of those who lost their lives to senseless violence, the administration is planting the seeds of a more inclusive and responsive governance. These are not grand gestures; they are grounded, human acts of care that say, “We see you, we remember, and we are here to support you.” Several of the families who received these appointments have waited for years, even decades, without knowing whether they would ever receive any form of redress. Stories like that of Abdul Majid Mir, whose family waited over 20 years for support, and Suhail Majeed, whose father was killed in 1994, are painful reminders of how long justice can take. The recent appointments are a step toward closure, not in the sense of forgetting, but in offering these families a way to move forward with dignity and purpose. The creation of a dedicated online portal and helplines further indicates the administration’s intent to make this process more transparent and accessible. These tools are important not only for streamlining services but also for signalling to families that their concerns matter and will be heard. It’s important to remember that while a job can never replace a loved one, it can offer something meaningful: stability, recognition, and a new beginning. For many young people stepping into these roles, it is also a way to carry forward the dreams of those they lost and to serve the very society that once stood silent in their time of sorrow. There is still work to be done. Fairness, consistency, and a commitment to timely support must guide this process. Every case deserves the same empathy and urgency. The system must ensure that no one feels left behind and that help reaches even those in the most remote parts of the Union Territory. Perhaps most importantly, this initiative sends a quiet but clear message: in the new Jammu and Kashmir, those who have suffered silently will no longer be invisible. By recognizing civilian martyrs and supporting their families in practical ways, society takes a small but significant step toward healing old wounds and building a future rooted in care and equity. Peace and progress are built not only through policy but also through kindness, listening, and the will to make things right. This recent development shows that even in a place long marked by conflict, healing is possible, one family, one gesture, and one promise fulfilled at a time.

The government must unwaveringly continue its commitment to compassionate governance, with structured and sustained support for families of terror victims. At the heart of this transformative approach stands Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, whose visionary and deeply empathetic leadership has redefined administrative responsibility in Jammu and Kashmir. His unwavering resolve to deliver justice, restore dignity, and embrace the most marginalized with sincerity and compassion deserves the highest praise. Under his leadership, a new Jammu and Kashmir is emerging—one that stands for healing, inclusion, and hope. His actions are not just administrative responses but a reflection of moral leadership that uplifts the very soul of the Union Territory.