America Warns Citizens: Issues Strict Travel Advisory for India, Avoid These 10 States

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The US has issued a new advisory for its citizens regarding travel to India in which it has been asked to be cautious and avoid traveling to some states on the basis of increasing incidents of rape and violent crimes, Naxalite activities and the possibility of terrorist attacks. In this warning of the US State Department, rural areas of states like Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Chhattisgarh have been specifically mentioned, where the danger has been reported to be high. According to the Foreign Ministry, "Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India and violent incidents are also increasing at tourist places." Along with this, tourist spots, malls, markets and transport hubs have been described as potential targets where terrorist attacks can take place at any time.

The states in which the US has instructed not to travel to rural areas include:

Uttar Pradesh

Maharashtra(eastern part)

Bihar

Jharkhand

Chhattisgarh

Odisha

Telangana

Andhra Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh

West Bengal

Manipur (completely prohibited due to ethnic violence)

Jammu and Kashmir (except Leh and Eastern Ladakh)

Restrictions also apply to government employees.

US government employees posted in India have been made mandatory to take prior permission to travel to the sensitive states mentioned above. This especially includes states like Manipur, Bihar, Jharkhand, Meghalaya, Odisha and West Bengal. The US has also said that its diplomatic or emergency assistance is limited in many rural areas of India, so citizens should travel with prior preparation.