Jammu & Kashmir
Special one-stop identity cards for Kashmir’s citizens is likely to increase surveillance
The Central government is planning to provide Kashmir’s citizens with special one-stop identity cards, in a move that’s likely to increase surveillance, a report by Kritika Sharma in DNA said.
The proposal was reportedly brought during a meeting of officials of the Union HRD ministry and MHA early this month to discuss the implementation strategy of “Revival of education in Kashmir”.
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It is unclear as to how this card will function, with Aaadhar cards already issued in Kashmir, which has been alleged of being a complete surveillance method.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has already issued these cards to people in bordering areas of the state. These cards, data of which will be stored online, will include all relevant information and will allow residents not to carry any other identity proof.
In coastal areas, similar cards were given to fishermen after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. People in Punjab’s border areas have also been given similar cards.
“Almost 100 per cent people in the Valley carry some or the other form of identity proof. The idea is to make things simple with a single card that works as both online and offline identity proof,” a government source said.
