Srinagar, The Indian police’s recent initiative to conduct a comprehensive “census” in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), involving the collection of detailed personal data from residents, has raised serious concerns about privacy, legality, and potential misuse.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the involvement of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in this data collection effort has been questioned by experts, citing contradictions with the existing legal framework. Despite amended census rules that require anonymization and restricted use of sensitive personal information, legal experts believe the police’s actions violate these requirements.

Residents have reported police officers visiting households, distributing forms requesting extensive personal information, including details of family members, contact information, vehicle registrations, CCTV camera installations, and even geo-tagging of residences. The forms, bearing the heading “Census 2024” and labeled with the respective police station’s name, have unsettled many residents due to the lack of clarity about the operation’s authority and purpose.

This is not the first instance of such data collection initiatives in the region, with previous efforts leading to allegations of political profiling by security agencies. In the past, the Indian army and Border Security Force conducted similar surveys, and police established surveillance wings to monitor journalists, activists, and academics.

Data protection experts and civil rights activists have sharply criticized the “Census 2024.” Amnesty International India Chairman Aakar Patel described it as an infringement on the rights and dignity of Kashmiris, while renowned data protection expert Usha Ramanathan highlighted the violation of constitutional rights to privacy. She compared the initiative to the controversial Aadhar system, noting the creation of detailed individual profiles and the potential for an intrusive surveillance mechanism.

The police-led census is seen as an unconstitutional expansion of police powers, creating a surveillance state and giving the state unprecedented access to citizens’ lives. This development adds a deeply disturbing dimension to the situation in IIOJK, raising significant concerns about the protection of fundamental rights and privacy.