Srinagar, Aug 05 (KNO): Tears, memories, and hope filled the air at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on Tuesday as the next of kin (NoKs) of terrorism victims opened up about their long years of suffering, survival and today, a sense of recognition.
The emotional outpouring came during an official ceremony where the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, handed over government job appointment letters to the affected families.
The event, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), held on the anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, saw more than 150 families in attendance.
At SKICC, beyond the ceremonial moment, it was the voices of the victims’ children, some orphaned in infancy that captured the pain of Kashmir’s prolonged conflict.
Junaid Ahmad from Anantnag, who lost his father when he was just two years old, shared how his life spiraled after his mother also passed away a decade later.
“My sister had to marry at 15. We were completely alone. I walked from pillar to post, but no one ever helped. Even our relatives turned their backs,” he said, adding, “I used to think of ending my life. But today, holding this letter in my hand, I feel seen for the first time. I have nothing but prayers for LG Manoj Sinha.”
*‘Tears rolled down as I held the letter’*
Yasmeen Bano from Baramulla was too choked with emotion to speak much.
“When my father was killed, my mother raised me alone. Today, I just couldn’t stop my tears while receiving the appointment letter. I’m overwhelmed,” she said softly.
Bisma, from Qazigund (Anantnag), another NoK, was not even born when her father was killed. Her entire childhood was shaped by her mother’s sacrifices.
“My mother worked in homes with one hand and held me in the other. No one helped us. But today, this man—LG Sinha, came to us like an angel. I have no words, only gratitude and tears,” she said.
Junaid Ali Malla, who lost his policeman father to a terrorist attack, said he was three when the tragedy struck. “No one helped us. I had to build everything on my own. But I always told my mother that my father’s sacrifice won’t go in vain. Today, I feel proud, and this letter proves his sacrifice mattered.”
Anju Riyaz, another victim who was just six months old when her father was killed, recalled being thrown out by her paternal family. “We lived in my maternal home. My mother made me what I am. We were never helped, not even once. But today, this letter brought us a moment of peace we never had,” she said.
On Tuesday, a total of 158 appointment letters were distributed by LG Sinha himself to victims and their family members from north, south and central Kashmir—(KNO)