Srinagar, Aug 5: Emotional scenes marked a function at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on Wednesday as the next of kin (NoKs) of civilian terror victims recounted years of loss, hardship and resilience while receiving appointment letters from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Several beneficiaries broke down as they narrated how terrorism had shattered their families, saying the rehabilitation initiative and government employment had restored hope, dignity and a sense of belonging after decades of suffering.
Among them was Junaid Malla, whose father, a Special Police Officer (SPO), was killed by terrorists when he was just two years old.
Recalling his difficult childhood, Junaid said his family struggled for nearly 25 years without support.
"I grew up seeing only hardships. No institution or individual ever came forward to help us. There wasn't even a small ray of hope," he said.
Junaid admitted that there was a time when he questioned whether his father's sacrifice had been forgotten.
"I used to tell my mother that my father's sacrifice for the nation had gone in vain. She always told me that one day justice would come, but I never believed it," he said.
He said his family's life changed after they were rehabilitated on August 5, 2025.
"Today, I proudly call myself the son of a martyr. Earlier, I felt my father's sacrifice had been forgotten, but now I feel proud. We have finally received dignity and respect," he said.
Expressing gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Junaid said the administration had stood by terror victims' families.
"He recognised the sacrifices of martyrs' families and made us feel we are not alone. He stood with us like a family," he added.
Another beneficiary, whose brother was killed by terrorists in 2018, said the family endured immense hardship after the tragedy.
"After my brother was martyred, our family suffered immensely. Several members fell ill and life became extremely difficult. Last year, on August 5, our family was rehabilitated. We are grateful for the support," the beneficiary said.
A third beneficiary, whose father was killed by terrorists in 1996, said the family had spent decades living with grief and uncertainty.
"My father was martyred in 1996. Since then, we have lived through pain and hardship. We never imagined we would receive justice after so many years. This rehabilitation has given our family a new beginning," the beneficiary said.
The event witnessed several emotional moments as families of terror victims shared their personal journeys, saying the rehabilitation initiative had renewed their confidence and offered them a chance to rebuild their lives after years of loss.