Families of terror victims ‘found new courage’ after Article 370 abrogation, J&K LG says

The L-G also underscored that terrorism has not only claimed lives, but also “shattered families and condemned innocent households into decades of silence, stigma, and poverty”.

Among those who received appointment letters from the L-G were Pakeeza Riyaz of Anantnag, whose father, Riyaz Ahmed Mir, was killed in 1999; Shaista of Hyderpora, Srinagar, whose father Abdul Rashid Ganai, was killed in 2000; and Ishtiyaq Ahmad, the son of BSF soldier Altaf Hussain, who was killed in a terrorist encounter nearly 19 years ago.

The appointment letters were handed to these families under the Compassionate Appointment Rules SRO-43 and Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS).

The L-G highlighted that continuing the fight against terrorism is a task that society as a whole has to undertake. “We must pledge to fight against the scourge with determination and patience, and foil the efforts of our adversary,” he said.

Emphasising the Centre’s policy on zero-tolerance to terrorism in all its forms, the L-G said, “Every available resource and means will be used to make J&K terrorism-free, and those who are giving sanctuary, safe-haven or any other support to terrorists will have to pay a very heavy price.”

As per the Lok Bhavan, 156 family members of terror victims have been provided self-employment opportunities under various schemes of the administration. Thirty-six such families have been identified for house reconstruction. More families will be identified and included as the process continues. The reconstruction work for the houses of the families whose homes were destroyed due to Pakistani shelling in Uri and Karnah will commence in April, the statement said.