Washington: Citing crime and terrorism, the United States has revised its travel advisory to India, asking its nationals to not travel to several parts of the country, including Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir. The travel advisory advised Americans to exercise caution in India.
Overall, India has been placed at Level 2, implying “increased caution” but placed several places within the country in Level 4.
“Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk,” read the advisory issued by the State Department.
“Do not travel to: The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest; within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border due to the potential for armed conflict; portions of Central and East India due to terrorism and Manipur due to violence and crime,” said the State Department.
The advisory claimed that rape cases are surging in the country with many tourist spots witnessing the crime. “Indian authorities report that rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crime, such as sexual assault, has happened at tourist sites and other locations,” the travel advisory further stated.
“The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. U.S. government employees must get special authorization to travel to these areas,” it further said.It also advised American women to not travel alone in India.
Advisory for Jammu and Kashmir
Amid the recent spate of terror attacks in Jammua and Kashmir, the travel advisory also warned about the terror activities in the country, stating “Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities.”
It also said that Indian govt doesn’t allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC.
“Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Do not travel to this state (with the exception of visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh). Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. It also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC,” the advisory stated.
The US State Department placed India-Pakistan Border on Level 4.
“India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on both sides of the border. The only official border crossing for non-citizens of India or Pakistan is in Punjab. It is between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open, but check its current status before you travel. To enter Pakistan, you need a Pakistani visa. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise, apply for a Pakistani visa in your home country before traveling to India,” it further read.
Advisory for Manipur
Manipur was also placed at level 4. The State Dept said, “Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis.”
It also said that the government employees of US who plan to travel to India must get prior approval before visiting Manipur.
Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites”, are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal, the advisory said.
“Attacks against officers of the Indian government continue to occur sporadically in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affected. The Naxalites have carried out many terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials, it said.
“Due to the fluid nature of the threat, US government employees are required to obtain permission before travelling to most areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha. Permission is not required if employees are travelling only to the capital cities of these states. US government employees also need approval to travel to the eastern region of Maharashtra and the eastern region of Madhya Pradesh,” the advisory said.
In addition, Northeastern States has been given – Level 3: Reconsider Travel. “Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. There have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura,” it said.
“US government employees travelling in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura,” it said.
Don’t Travel to Manipur, J&K: US Revises Advisory for India, Asks Women to Not Travel Alone world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
