From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- India Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 18:31:19 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1100 Path: world!root Message-ID: <960716183119_76702.1202_CHN36-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 215 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - India ============================================================ India - Public Announcement May 17, 1996 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release As the summer tourist season approaches, the Department of State again strongly urges private U.S. citizens traveling in India to avoid travel to Jammu and Kashmir, in particular the cities of Jammu, Srinagar, the Kashmir Valley and surrounding mountains. Terrorist activities, including bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and violent civil disturbances, have occurred in these areas. Kidnapping is a particularly strong danger to U.S. citizens and other foreigners in Kashmir. There have been bombings attributed to Kashmiri militants as well as armed clashes between militants and Indian security forces. While U.S. citizens and other foreigners have not been targeted in these incidents, some bombings have occurred in public places where foreign visitors might congregate. Militants have threatened to use violence to disrupt May 23 and May 30 elections in Kashmir and Indian security forces are on heightened alert. There is a possibility of increased violence, including attacks on airlines and other modes of public transport or other facilities, which could affect innocent bystanders even after the elections have taken place. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi prohibits U.S. government employees from traveling to the Jammu and Kashmir areas without U.S. Embassy permission. U.S. citizens in India may wish to contact the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi for updated security information. The U.S. Embassy telephone number is (91)(11)688-9033. This replaces the previous public announcement of August 17, 1995 to update information on the dangers of travel by U.S. citizens to Jammu and Kashmir and to provide the new telephone number for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. India - Consular Information Sheet November 25, 1994 Country Description: India is a developing democratic republic. Tourist facilities varying in degree of comfort and amenities are widely available in the major population centers and main tourist areas. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa (which must be obtained in advance) are required for entry into India for tourism or business. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is needed if the traveler is arriving from an infected area. For further entry information, the traveler can contact the Embassy of India at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-9839 or 939-9850 or the Indian Consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, and New Orleans. Terrorism: During September/October 1994, in what appears to have been an isolated incident, one American and three British tourists in New Delhi were lured by friendly-seeming members of a hitherto-unknown Kashmiri terrorist group and taken hostage. After weeks in captivity, the four were released, unharmed, following a police action. A series of bombings in Bombay in March 1993 killed several hundred people. Foreigners were not targeted in those attacks and none were reported injured. The threat of terrorist activity remains, but there have been no bombings in more than a year. Areas of Instability: Countrywide - The potential exists for outbreaks of communal and inter-caste violence in most major cities. Major civil disturbances can pose risks to a traveler's personal safety and can disrupt transportation systems and city services. In response to communal violence, Indian authorities may occasionally impose curfews. In addition, political rallies and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence. Foreigners have not been the targets of either communal or political violence in India, and are principally at risk only of becoming inadvertent victims. U.S. citizens may contact the American Embassy or the nearest American Consulate General for further information about the current situation in areas where they wish to travel. Kashmir - In July 1994 an American tourist was fatally shot in Srinagar, and in June 1994 militants held two British hikers hostage for eighteen days before releasing them. These recent events demonstrate that the Kashmir Valley in the State of Jammu and Kashmir remains a dangerous place where terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue. Uttar Pradesh - In September and October 1994 there were numerous incidents of violent encounters between police and activists for a separate state for the hill districts of Uttar Pradesh. Dozens were killed and many more injured in the incidents of mob action which resulted in imposition of curfew and disruption of public transportation in many towns including Dehradun, Rishikesh, Nainital and other popular tourist destinations. Northeast States - Civil unrest pervades the Northeast States. Terrorist groups in Assam have bombed trains, buses and bridges. The government of India has declared Assam to be a "disturbed area." Numerous political killings have occurred in Nagaland and Manipur. India/Pakistan Border - Tensions run high between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir. The only official India-Pakistan border-crossing point is between Atari, India and Wagah, Pakistan. A Pakistani visa is required for entry to Pakistan. Restricted Areas: Permission from the Indian government (from Indian diplomatic missions abroad or, in some cases, from the Ministry of Home Affairs) is required to visit the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu District and Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, areas of Uttar Pradesh, the area west of National Highway No. 15 running from Ganganagar to Sanchar in Rajasthan, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Union Territory of the Laccadive Islands. Medical Facilities: Adequate medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually limited in the rural areas of the country. Medical authorities suggest that travelers to India take preventive measures against malaria, hepatitis, meningitis and Japanese encephilitis (if arriving during the monsoon season). Travelers arriving from countries where outbreaks of yellow fever have occurred will be required to furnish a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. Cholera and gastroenteritis occur during the summer monsoon months, mostly in the poorer areas of India. The best protection includes eating only at better quality restaurants or hotels, drinking only boiled or bottled mineral water and avoiding ice. Eating untreated fruits and vegetables and cooked foods sold by street vendors can be risky. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate payment in cash for health services. Supplemental health insurance which specifically covers overseas treatment and medical evacuation has proven useful. The interiors of international flights arriving in India may be sprayed with insecticides while passengers are still aboard, a practice discontinued in the U.S. because of human health concerns. Additional information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers hotline at (404) 332-4559. Information on Crime: Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to South Asia." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted offenders in India can expect a minimum jail sentence of ten years and fines. Customs Considerations: Indian customs authorities strictly enforce the laws and regulations governing the declaration, importation or possession of gold and gold objects. Travelers have sometimes been detained for possession of undeclared gold objects. Mountain Climbing: Both India and Pakistan claim an area of the Karakoram mountain range which includes the Siachen Glacier. The two countries have established military outposts in the region, and armed clashes have occurred. Because of this situation, U.S. citizens traveling to or climbing peaks anywhere in the disputed area face significant risk of injury and death. The disputed area includes the following peaks: Rimo Peak, Apsarasas I, II, and III, Tegam Kangri I, II, and III, Suingri Kangri, Ghaint I and II, Indira Col, and Sia Kangri. Piloting Civil Aircraft: In past years, there have been a number of incidents in which civil aircraft have been detained for deviating from approved flight plans. U.S. citizens piloting civil aircraft in India must file any changes to previous flight plans and may not overfly restricted airspace. Registration: U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi or at one of the U.S. Consulates in India can obtain updated information on travel and security in India and Bhutan and can obtain a copy of a booklet, "Guidelines for American Travelers in India". Embassy Location: The U.S. Embassy is located in the capital city of New Delhi on Shanti Path, Chanakyapuri 110021; telephone (91-11) 688-9033. There are U.S. Consulates General in Bombay at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, Bombay 400026, telephone (91-22) 363-3611; in Calcutta at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, Calcutta 700071, telephone (91-033) 22-3611 through 22-3615 and 22-2335 through 22-2337; and in Madras on Mount Road, Madras 600006, telephone (91-44) 827-3040. The workweek is Monday through Friday. No. 94-268 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 16, 1994, to update information on terrorism. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. 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