‘Threat of Violence and Crime, Sexual Assault Happened at Tourist Sites’: US Issues Travel Advisory for India

New Delhi: The US Department of State has issued a comprehensive travel advisory for India, urging American citizens to exercise increased caution when visiting the country due to a range of safety and security concerns. Further, the US has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and the India-Pakistan border and parts of central and eastern parts of the country, news agency PTI reported.

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The advisory categorises India as a level two country, indicating that visitors should be aware of potential risks and take necessary precautions. However, several regions within India have been designated as level four, indicating a higher level of risk and advising citizens to avoid travel to these areas, the regions include Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorism and civil unrest are ongoing concerns, and the India-Pakistan border, where there is a potential for armed conflict.>

Additionally, the state of Manipur has been placed on level four due to the threat of violence and crime, with ongoing ethnic-based civil conflict resulting in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. The US government employees require prior approval before visiting the state.

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“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.>

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It added: “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. US government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur.”>

The advisory also highlights the “risk of terrorism in India”with “terrorists potentially attacking with little or no warning”. Tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, and government facilities are all potential targets, the US advisory mentioned. Furthermore, the advisory notes that violent crime, including sexual assault, has occurred at tourist sites and other locations.>

“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. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities,” the State Department mentioned.>

In addition to these specific regions and risks, the advisory also notes that Naxalite extremist groups are active in a large area of the country, spanning from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. These groups have carried out numerous terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials, the advisory said.

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The US government employees are required to obtain permission prior to traveling to most areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha, eastern region of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.>

The other northeastern states have been designated as level three, with the advisory recommending that citizens reconsider travel to these areas due to ethnic insurgent groups and occasional acts of violence. While there have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura, citizens are still advised to exercise caution.>

“US government employees traveling in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any areas outside of the capital cities of Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura,” the advisory added.>

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