Form distributed by J&K police seeks details of Valley residents, family members
As per sources in the security establishment, while the Army has been conducting similar “surveys” since 2019, the police kept records but are now "systematising" details of individual households.
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A security official stands guard outside the Bakshi Stadium on the eve of the Republic Day, in Srinagar, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. (PTI Photo/S Irfan)“Terror links”, “involvement in an encounter”, “family member settled abroad” – these are some of the details sought in a form being distributed by the Jammu and Kashmir police to residents across the Valley.
As per sources in the security establishment, while the Army has been conducting similar “surveys” since 2019, the police kept records but are now “systematising” details of individual households.
“Until now, police kept records at police stations, but now we have systematised the process with a form. This serves two purposes – one is to see if anyone goes missing and the other is to check the presence of any foreign or new persons,” said a source.
Against the backdrop of an increase in targeted attacks, the source said, “We want to ensure we are aware of members in all households.”
A senior officer called it census work carried out every three-four years by the police to update their records. The officer explained that it’s imperative police know about residents in their jurisdiction, which is why such an exercise has been conducted.
Details meant to be filled in the form include: Name, gender, age, profession, relation with house owner, “terror links”, “any encounter”, vehicle owned with registration number, Aadhaar number, family member settled abroad, visit to foreign country, if any, and whether or not a CCTV is installed at the residence. The form also seeks photographs of each family member as well as of the house.
The forms are being distributed since the last few days, with many who received them saying they are unsure of what the purpose is.
A resident of Sopore in North Kashmir’s Baramulla said, “Some officials came earlier this week and distributed the forms. They asked us to fill in every detail and return them.”
Senior officers, including DGP R R Swain, did not respond to queries about the development.
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