New digital ID in Indian Kashmir raises concerns over surveillance

Security forces check the identification documents of passengers in a taxi in the Kashmiri city of Srinagar, India. ‎Unique family identity cards to access welfare benefits in Indian Kashmir have raised concerns about surveillance and exclusion. — Thomson Reuters Foundation

SRINAGAR, India: University student Mehak is used to frequent identification checks by security forces and officials in the northern Indian city of Srinagar, and always carries two forms of ID. Soon, she may need to carry yet another in her purse.

Plans for a new family ID in Jammu and Kashmir have caused confusion and irritation among many residents like Mehak, while rights campaigners fear the programme could lead to increased surveillance and data hacks in the disputed Himalayan region.