Area of Instability

AREAS OF INSTABILITY:

Countrywide - Major civil disturbances can pose risks to a traveler '92s personal safety and can disrupt transportation systems and city services. In response to such violence, Indian authorities may occasionally impose curfews and restrict travel. Political rallies and demonstrations in India have the potential for violence, especially during periods immediately preceding and following elections. In addition, the potential exists for religious and inter-caste violence. While such violence has not usually specifically targeted foreigners, mobs have attacked Christian workers, including foreigners. Missionary activity has aroused strong reactions, and an Australian missionary and his two sons were murdered by a mob in the eastern state of Orissa in January 1999. Nevertheless, the principal risk for foreigners appears to be that of becoming inadvertent victims. U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Embassy or the nearest U.S. Consulate for further information about the current situation in areas where they wish to travel.

Kashmir - The Department of State strongly urges private U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Kashmir valley area of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to the American and other Western tourists taken hostage (and one murdered) in Kashmir by terrorists in 1995, an American tourist was fatally shot in Srinagar in 1994. Also in 1994, militants held two British hikers hostage for 18 days before releasing them. Within the state, the Ladakh region has been unaffected by terrorist violence. Srinagar, the Kashmir valley and the city of Jammu remain dangerous places where terrorist activities and violent civil disturbances continue. U.S. Government employees are prohibited from traveling to the state of Jammu and Kashmir without permission from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

Northeast States - sporadic incidents of violence by ethnic insurgent groups, including the bombing of buses and trains, are reported from parts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, and Meghalaya. While U.S. citizens have not been specifically targeted, visitors are cautioned not to travel outside major cities at night. Security laws are in force, and security personnel have been deployed by the central government in New Delhi to several northeast states. Travelers may check with the U.S. Consulate in Calcutta for information on current conditions. (Please see address below.) 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.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:

Travel by road in India is dangerous. Outside major cities, main roads and highways are poorly maintained and always congested. Even main roads often have only two lanes, with poor visibility and inadequate warning markers. Heavy traffic, including overloaded trucks and buses, scooters, pedestrians, and livestock, is the norm. Travel at night is particularly hazardous. In March 1996, a tour bus crashed at night near the city of Agra, claiming the lives of five Americans.