Special cells to reopen cases of militancy victims in J&K

The Jammu & Kashmir Police on Wednesday (July 2, 2025) started circulating special phone numbers to reopen cases of victims of militancy in the Union Territory and identify the perpetrators currently working in government departments.

According to the J&K Police, dedicated grievance-cum-helpline cells have been set up in Anantnag, Awantipora, Budgam, Baramulla and Sopore in the Kashmir division. Similar helplines are being set up in the Jammu region with Doda district already establishing one such cell.

“This initiative is intended to facilitate the registration and resolution of grievances of terrorism-affected families across the district. Victims or their kin can approach the helpline numbers to register grievances or seek assistance,” the police said.

Police said affected individuals, or their families, can contact the helpline number by voice call, SMS and WhatsApp on all working days between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The fresh measure came a day after J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha discussed the cases where the victims were “brutally killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists”. He directed the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to reopen cases, “which were deliberately buried and file an FIR and ensure jobs are provided to Next of Kins (NoKs) on priority”.

Mr. Sinha directed them to take immediate measures to free properties of the families of terror victims and land grabbed by terrorists or their sympathisers.

“Identify those elements from the terror ecosystem who were involved in killing of common Kashmiris and currently working in government departments. Financial assistance under MUDRA and handholding must be extended to the terror victim family members who want to start their self-employment venture,” the Lieutenant Governor told officials.

Mr. Sinha, using special powers under Article 311, has already terminated services of around 70 government employees in J&K on the basis of reports filed by the security agencies.