Srinagar, The Indian government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned the establishment of a Finger Print Bureau in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). This move is perceived as part of the government’s strategy to monitor and profile the Kashmiri population, ostensibly to suppress freedom sentiments in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Indian media outlets reported on January 1, 2024, that the government has approved 73 posts for the newly sanctioned bureau in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The bureau, which is set to be led by a Senior Superintendent of Police, will also include one Superintendent of Police, two Deputy Superintendents of Police, 22 Sub-Inspectors, and 28 selection-grade constables.

The primary function of the Finger Print Bureau will be to assist the Indian army, police, paramilitary forces, and investigative agencies in conducting record checks. This will be facilitated through the analysis of fingerprints from existing records. Additionally, the bureau is tasked with creating a comprehensive database of fingerprint records of the Kashmiri populace. This database will be organized, indexed, and regularly updated to ensure the efficient and accurate retrieval of information.

The establishment of this bureau is a significant development in the context of the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the Indian government’s approach towards addressing security and governance issues in the region.