Security forces in J&K conduct ‘Census’, seek details such as terror links, CCTV cameras, foreign ties  

Security forces and police in Jammu and Kashmir are conducting a census to collect detailed information on residents, including terror links and encounters, to protect locals and provide efficient services.

Security forces and the police are conducting a “Census” in Jammu and Kashmir, which besides names and phone numbers of residents, also seeks to know if a family member has terror links, has visited a foreign country, latitude-longitude details of the property, if the premises has CCTV cameras installed, and whether any encounter had taken place at the house.

For the past one week, the police have been distributing a one-page unsigned document titled “Census Form” and “Village X Ray” in each household in Srinagar. The Army and central armed police force (CAPF) have also been tasked with collecting such details from each household in their area of operation in Kashmir Valley and Jammu division.

The form has sections such as terror links, encounter, family member settled abroad, visit to foreign country, photograph of the house, photograph of head of family, photograph of other family members, vehicle registration number, Aadhaar number, mobile number, etc. 

Residents have been asked to fill the form and submit it at the nearest police station at the earliest.

A government source told The Hindu that such details are being collected to minimise damage to property and protect locals in case an encounter has taken place or a law-and-order situation has emerged.

“The form will ensure that the police and security forces have the precise details. The Army has already completed the exercise,” said the source.

A police source however said that the details are being collected for ease of providing services to citizens.