Saturday, December 06, 2008

Americans cautioned on NE visit

Guwahati: Shocked by the pattern of recent terror attack in Mumbai, the US Department of State has issued travel alert to its citizens currently travelling and residing in India. Besides, the US authorities warned its officials and citizens about the prevailing security situation in the North-East India and advised not to visit Manipur and parts of Assam districts of Karbi Anglong and Tinsukia.


"US Government employees are prohibited from travelling to the state of Manipur and to portions of the Karbi Anglong districts and Tinsukia in Assam without permission from the US Embassy in New Delhi and US Consulate in Kolkata," the US Department of State update said in its column of ‘country specific information’ issued on November 27.

When travelling to these areas, US official travellers should keep low profiles, limit their lengths of stay, and exercise extreme caution, it said.

About the situation in the North-East India, the US authorities said incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including the bombing of buses and trains which occur frequently in parts of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland.

"Though US citizens have not been specifically targeted, they may be affected as bystanders. Visitors to India's Northeastern states are cautioned not to travel outside major cities at night," it suggested.

However, general alert sounded by the US Department of State to its citizens in India said it was for the ‘first time’ American citizens and other Westerners were targeted in the November 26 Mumbai terrorist attack and tragically demonstrated that even in five-star luxury hotels, security is not equipped to deter such attacks.

"US citizens should take into account this new reality and exercise caution when visiting India," warned the document issued by US Department of State. The travel alert issued by the department on November 29, two days after the terror strike at Mumbai, is stated to be enforced till December 31.

"Americans throughout India should be vigilant about security at all times," it said. The US Embassy and Consulates are actively assessing the country-wide security environment and Americans are advised to monitor local news reports and avoid visiting public places like religious sites, hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Meanwhile, high alert has been sounded in the Guwahati's LGB International Airport at Borjhar following the Mumbai incident. (NNN)

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