Sheikh Khalid Jahangir
On August 5 Jammu and Kashmir saw a turning point when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha spoke in Srinagar to people who had suffered greatly for generations. At the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre, 250 families who had lost members to terrorism were given appointment letters. This wasn't just a formal action; it was the government finally recognizing these families, something that should have happened a long time ago.
For decades, they had been ignored. To understand how important this moment was, it must be seen in the context of Kashmir’s long and difficult history of conflict. Since the late 1980s, when violence broke out in the area, thousands of people have been killed by terrorist groups supported by Pakistan.
The insurgency, fuelled by people crossing the border and locals joining in, had a large support system, including armed individuals, people working behind the scenes, financiers, and political figures who defended or ignored the violence. Militant propaganda portrayed the gunmen as heroes and ignored their victims.
The families of these victims had to find ways to survive under constant threat. Many were afraid to even file a police report because they feared what might happen to them. People were scared to speak out, and neighbours turned away. The government, often overwhelmed or corrupt during the worst of the violence, couldn't provide justice.
These families were not only excluded from society but also from political discussions and economic opportunities. Sinha’s initiative is important because of this situation. On that day in August, 158 people received their appointment letters directly from the L-G. The rest, from areas such as Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, and Kupwara, would get theirs soon after. These weren't random favours. They were specific actions meant to give financial stability to people whose family providers had been taken from them, sometimes many years before.
Such actions have been rare in Jammu and Kashmir. While governments have given money to certain victims, such as security personnel or those killed in major attacks, there hasn't been much consistent help for civilian families hurt by the violence. Because there was no steady help, the terror groups became stronger, creating cycles of dependence and fear. They knew they could punish people for disagreeing with them and that the victims’ families would have no way to get help. Sinha has stated that his goal is to stop this system, not just to give money.
He has spoken clearly about the need to stop not only the terrorists but also those who support them with supplies and ideas. He uses the term “terror ecosystem” to describe a network of weapons, propaganda, money, and influence that has been part of the area’s society and politics for more than thirty years. By helping the victims of terrorism directly, he is challenging the idea that militants act for the people and creating a message of justice, respect, and lawful government. The event at SKICC wasn't the only one. On July 13 in Baramulla, Sinha gave out 40 appointment letters, and on July 28 in Jammu, 80 families received theirs.
The August 5 event was simply the largest, the result of a month-long effort, and a sign that this is a continuing process. In a place where public events can still be risky, the courage of those who attended was remarkable. Some travelled from far away, passing checkpoints and risking intimidation. Their participation can be seen as a way of resisting, openly defying the fear that militants have tried to create for decades. The victims' silence was caused by fear and the way the situation was portrayed. In the 1990s and early 2000s, discussions about Kashmir often focused on a political issue between India and Pakistan, with the insurgents seen as political figures rather than violent criminals. The civilian victims didn't fit into this story and were often ignored. Sinha’s approach of publicly supporting these victims challenges this.
The employment letters serve two purposes. They provide financial help in an area where violence has damaged the local economy, and they are political statements, showing that the government recognizes these people and promises to protect them. The act of giving them out is symbolic, reestablishing the government's authority in areas where it had been questioned or absent.
In certain areas where this support has been provided, local officials report that civilians are cooperating more and that fewer people are joining militant groups. Research suggests that financial security and visible justice can reduce the appeal of armed movements. By linking moral support with practical help, the initiative confronts violence on both an ideological and a practical level.
The ceremony also served as a subtle criticism of the political systems that had failed these families. Certain political figures in the area have been accused of protecting those who supported violence, using them as tools in negotiations with New Delhi. By working directly with victims, Sinha is not only providing aid but also changing the way the government interacts with its citizens. August 5 in Srinagar was more than just an event; it was a turning point. In the history of the Kashmir conflict, which has included violence, ceasefires, and political stalemates, this moment represents a move toward focusing on the civilian cost of terrorism.
It shifts the discussion from territory and power to justice and humanity. As the people left SKICC with their letters, the symbolism was clear. The government was standing before its people and declaring that it recognized their suffering and would not leave them in silence. In the history of Kashmir, such an act is a quiet but powerful step toward reclaiming what has been lost.
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What happened that day cannot erase the pain of the past, but it can be the start of a different political culture, one where the victims of terror are not ignored and where the government is judged by its ability to restore respect, not just by its security actions. For Manoj Sinha, this is a moral and strategic necessity. For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, it is the recognition that their pain, long hidden by violence, has finally been heard.
Sheikh Khalid Jahangir is a Kashmir-based author, BJP leader, and Director of the International Centre for Peace Studies (ICPS).
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