Washington: The US has asked its citizens not to visit Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, India-Pakistan border areas and central and eastern parts of the country, where Naxalites are active. In the revised travel advisory for India, the US State Department said that it has updated it with information about the northeastern states. The advisory said, “More caution should be exercised in India due to crime and terrorism, Naxalism. The risk has increased in some areas. Overall, India has been placed at level two. But many parts of the country have been placed on level four such as Jammu and Kashmir, Indo-Pak border, Manipur and parts of central and eastern India.”
Know the reason
The US State Department said, “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 possibility of armed conflict, parts of central and eastern India due to Naxalism, insurgency and Manipur due to violence and crime.” The advisory recommends Americans to reconsider traveling to the northeastern states due to terrorism and violence.
‘Terrorists can attack anytime’
The travel advisory says, “According to reports from Indian officials, rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India. Violent crimes such as sexual assault have occurred at tourist places and other places. Terrorists can attack anytime. They target tourist destinations, transport hubs, markets, shopping malls and government establishments.”
Special permission will be required
The State Department said that the US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas. These areas extend from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana to western West Bengal. The advisory states that US government employees will have to obtain special permission to travel to these areas.
