See what precautions are recommended to travelers if they visit
A TRAVEL warning has been added to a popular bucket-list destination in Asia.
As hundreds of people jet off for the summer, US officials have asked for caution over a possible risk to life.
The US State Department has requested travelers “exercise increased caution” if they are going to India.
A Level 2 advisory comes before officials recommend travelers reconsider their plans which is Level 3.
Level 4 where people are told not to travel.
The travel alert was issued “due to crime and terrorism” with specific areas at more risk than others, it stated.
Officials rolled out the Level 2 advisory on June 16 highlighting increased violent crime at tourist sites and other locations.
This includes sexual assault and rape which is “one of the fastest growing crimes in India”.
It added that “terrorists may attack with little or no warning”.
The alert noted that such attacks target tourist locations, transport hubs, markets and shopping malls, and government facilities.
As a result, anyone working for the US government must get special authorization before travelling to certain parts of the country, namely, rural areas from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal.
The State Department noted that the government is restricted in getting emergency services to any of its citizens that are in these remote areas.
Under the travel advisory there are four specific regions that have do not travel warnings and a fifth where reconsideration of travel is advised.
It lists the following:
- Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir: Do not travel to this area (except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh) due to terrorism and civil unrest.
- India-Pakistan Border: Do not travel to this area due to potential for armed conflict.
- Parts of Central and East India: Do not travel to this area due to terrorism.
- Manipur: Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime.
- Northeastern states: Reconsider travel to this area due to terrorism and violence.
As well as avoiding these areas, the millions of Americans who travel to India every year must take some extra precautions under the new guidance.