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The US advises its nationals to avoid traveling to Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, and Naxalite-affected areas in India due to heightened risks of violence, crime, and terrorism.
Key Points
- The US State Department warns against travel to Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, and Naxalite-affected areas in India.
- The advisory highlights risks of rape, violent crime, and terrorist attacks.
- US nationals advised to exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.
- Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory issued for Manipur and other specific regions.
- US government employees require prior approval for travel to certain areas in India.
In a recent update to its travel advisory, the United States has issued a strong warning to its nationals against traveling to certain regions in India, citing heightened risks of violence, crime, and terrorism. The advisory, released by the US State Department, specifically urges avoidance of Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and areas affected by Naxalite activities.
The advisory places Manipur and Jammu and Kashmir at Level 4, the highest level of caution, advising, “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.” The State Department highlighted that attacks against Indian government targets occur regularly in these areas.
Additionally, the advisory notes that “rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India,” with violent crimes such as sexual assault happening at tourist sites and other locations. The advisory also warns that terrorist attacks could occur with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, and government facilities.
US nationals are also advised to reconsider travel to the northeastern states due to terrorism and violence. The advisory states, “Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast,” though it notes that there have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura.
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with the exception of the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh, is flagged due to terrorism and civil unrest. The advisory emphasizes that “violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan.”
For the Naxalite-affected areas, the advisory warns of potential attacks in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, which border several other states including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. The advisory notes that US government officials must obtain permission before traveling to most areas in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Meghalaya, and Odisha, though they may visit the capital cities of these states.
The advisory also highlights the strong military presence on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, recommending that traveler’s check the status of the border crossing at Attari-Wagah before traveling.
This comprehensive warning underscores the serious concerns the US government has about the safety of its nationals in these regions of India, urging heightened caution and, in some cases, complete avoidance of travel.
