Jammu and Kashmir Police Conduct Door-to-Door Census, Seeking Resident Details and Enhancing Surveillance
Jammu and Kashmir police are engaged in a door-to-door census in certain areas of the Valley, gathering information about residents, including those working abroad or having connections to militancy, if any.
This informal initiative, referred to as the “police census,” has been carried out on multiple occasions in the past, often raising concerns about potential political profiling. Last year, a similar effort sparked apprehensions of it becoming an annual occurrence.
“We have got used to such things. I remember such an exercise undertaken in our locality some years back. We then thought it was a normal census and the police were assisting the administration. Then we realised the police were doing it for security reasons,” shared a retired doctor from Bachpora.
During the recent census, residents were handed forms and asked to provide details. A journalist from the old city mentioned that a dozen police officers visited his home, requesting names, phone numbers, and Aadhaar card details of all family members.
“No forms were served this time. I silently provided all the details, including the names of the kids and wife. Nobody sought details about whether we have links with militants or ‘trouble makers’. Last year, a mohalla head was assigned the task. He was given forms and asked to get them filled by the residents,” said the journalist.
He added that he received a call last month from the local police station, seeking details about his profession. Similar calls were reported by several journalists.
A police officer stated that these exercises are conducted to monitor militants, making policing more effective. “This is for their own security, and people usually cooperate with us,” the officer explained.
Security forces in Kashmir have initiated various exercises to enhance surveillance of residents, including government employees. A government employee noted that obtaining CID and vigilance clearance for foreign visits, including Haj pilgrimages, often takes weeks or even months.