Government plans 1-stop I-cards for Kashmiris

The Central government is planning to provide Kashmir's citizens with special one-stop identity cards, in a move that's likely to increase surveillance amid rising cases of terror-related violence in the Valley.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has already issued these cards to people in bordering areas of the state. These cards, data of which will be stored online, will include all relevant information and will allow residents not to carry any other identity proof.

"Almost 100 per cent people in the Valley carry some or the other form of identity proof. The idea is to make things simple with a single card that works as both online and offline identity proof," a government source said.

In coastal areas, similar cards were given to fishermen after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. People in Punjab's border areas have also been given similar cards.

The proposal was brought during a meeting of officials of the Union HRD ministry and MHA early this month to discuss the implementation strategy of "Revival of education in Kashmir".

As earlier reported by DNA, the HRD Ministry has prepared an action plan to revive education that has taken a hit because of terrorism in Kashmir. The plan includes revival of schools burnt down by terrorists, linking schools there to those in other parts of the country and ensuring teachers' attendance by giving them smart cards.

As per the minutes of meeting, a copy of which is with DNA, smart cards were mentioned during discussions on teacher's attendance. The government is planning to give smart cards to teachers.

"It was also suggested that in J&K, a hybrid smart card for every citizen could be considered," the document says.

The latest spiral of violence was triggered by local poster boy and Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's encounter killing on July 8, 2016. Women, young boys and girls in large numbers have been part of raging mobs that protested and pelted stones at security forces.