Srinagar, July 24 -- "No government ever cared to ask about our pain," said Suhail Yusuf Shah from Kupwara, whose mother was killed by terrorists. "For decades, J&K's ruling class empowered terrorists, played into ISI's hands and left victims like us to rot."

The emotional gathering was part of the administration's initiative to rehabilitate families affected by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. At least 40 families received job appointments on July13, within 15 days of LG Sinha's assurance in Anantnag last month.

Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh from Sheeri, Baramulla, who lost his father to terrorist violence, said repeated promises by past regimes amounted to nothing. "No one can imagine our pain," he said. "They made us run in circles with fake assur...