India Expands Mass Surveillance in IIOJK, Raising Alarms Over Privacy Violations

In a sweeping move that has intensified fears of state surveillance, Indian authorities have launched a mass installation of CCTV cameras across IIOJK, placing residents under constant watch.

Indian authorities, under the direction of the New Delhi-appointed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, are rapidly expanding surveillance infrastructure across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly in the Kashmir Valley. High-resolution CCTV cameras are being installed on a large scale at tourist spots, marketplaces, and other public areas, sparking serious concerns over personal privacy and civil liberties.

This surveillance expansion comes in tandem with the region’s already heavy militarization. Indian forces, equipped with mobile units, advanced weaponry, and tech-based monitoring systems, are already deeply embedded in public life. Now, with the deployment of thousands of cameras, every movement of the local population is being tracked around the clock.

According to reports, vast funds are being poured into this surveillance initiative. Locations such as the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg—popular destinations in the valley—are among the key areas where CCTV cameras have been installed. While framed as a move for “security and monitoring,” residents and rights advocates view it as yet another step toward eroding personal freedoms in the already tightly-controlled region.

Locals say that this constant digital surveillance adds to the psychological pressure they already face from the physical presence of armed personnel and repeated military operations. Critics argue that such measures violate basic human rights, especially the right to privacy, and foster an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.

Alongside the CCTV rollout, Indian police have intensified efforts to erase all visible expressions of dissent. Authorities are actively removing posters, banners, and wall chalking in Srinagar that carry slogans in support of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army, or the Kashmir freedom movement. The crackdown on public messaging is seen as part of a broader strategy to silence voices of resistance and suppress any symbolic support for the ongoing freedom struggle.

These developments highlight the Indian government’s deepening reliance on surveillance and suppression to control the narrative in IIOJK. Human rights defenders and digital freedom groups have voiced strong opposition, calling the measures invasive and undemocratic.

The situation in IIOJK continues to draw international attention, as India’s growing use of surveillance technology and restrictive policies come under scrutiny. For the people of the valley, however, these changes represent a harsh reality—where privacy is vanishing, resistance is criminalized, and life is increasingly lived under watchful eyes.