Newsgroup: it.hobby.viaggi
Titolo: INDIA avviso di sicurezza

SUMMARY
In view of the heightened tensions and increased risk of conflict with
Pakistan, we advise against travel to India for the time being. We
further advise all British nationals currently in India to consider
leaving. 
We strongly advise against travel to all parts of the state of Jammu
and Kashmir. 
In view of the heightened tension and increased troop movements along
the India/Pakistan border, we advise against all travel in these
areas. 
The State of Gujarat remains unsettled following the outbreak of
serious communal violence in late February 2002. 
Visitors should be aware that there is a risk of terrorist attack in
India, particularly in the vicinity of key government installations. 
SAFETY AND SECURITY
The recent deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan has
increased risk of conflict between the two countries. As a result we
advise against travel to India for the time being. 
Commercial airlines are currently operating as normal into and out of
India. Every effort should therefore be made to leave by normal means.
Those in India should contact travel operators about the availability
of seats. We are in touch with the commercial airlines. 
All British nationals are encouraged to monitor developments through
the media (including the BBC World Service if possible), and to
contact the British High Commission, or the appropriate Deputy High
Commission if they have specific concerns about their safety. 
There has been serious communal violence in a number of cities and
some smaller communities across Gujarat with several hundred killed
and curfews imposed in some areas. The situation remains volatile,
particularly in Ahmedabad. We advise visitors to exercise caution and
to monitor developments through the media. We strongly advise against
travelling on highways in rural areas in Gujarat at present. Visitors
should be particularly cautious whilst travelling on local trains. 
The poor infrastructure makes the provision of consular assistance
difficult, particularly in remote areas. 
Do not walk alone in isolated spots in the popular tourist areas
especially after dark. Visitors should respect local codes of dress
and behaviour. There have been several recent incidents of sexual
assault against women in Goa. 
Theft of valuables, especially passports, is a particular risk at
major railway stations and on trains. 
Several recent drownings have highlighted the lack of warning
signs/flags and life-saving equipment on most of India's beaches.
Strong undercurrents are a particular hazard. Tourist boats and other
small crafts very rarely carry life saving equipment. 
Piracy/armed robbery against ships has occurred in and around India's
waters. Mariners are advised to be vigilant and take appropriate
action. 
Confidence tricksters (particularly in Agra and Jaipur) promise a
substantial cash reward for delivery of jewellery abroad but only in
return for an initial deposit. The jewellery is invariably worthless
and the deposit (often amounting to thousands of pounds) is lost.
Incidents of British nationals being held against their will by
individuals they have "befriended" while staying in India have
increased. Victims holding travellers' cheques and credit or debit
cards are required to withdraw funds at a cash-point/bank to obtain
their release. 
Visitors should not become involved with drugs of any kind. 
TERRORISM 
British nationals in Islamic countries or countries with large Islamic
populations, should exercise particular caution given the current
heightened tension. We believe that India is one of a number of
countries where there is an increased risk to visible British
institutions and organisations from global terrorism. 
A terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament building on 13 December
2001 resulted in a number of deaths. There have been terrorist attacks
on public buildings in New Delhi. We advise travellers to increase
their vigilance when in the vicinity of key government installations,
visiting tourist sites or attending major public events around India. 
Road Safety 
Driving on Indian roads can be hazardous, particularly at night in
rural areas. Inadequately lit buses and lorries, poor driving and
badly maintained vehicles are the main causes of accidents. 
LOCAL TRAVEL
Northern India 
Those in areas adjoining Pakistan or planning to cross the
international border should take account of tension between India and
Pakistan over Kashmir. 
Jammu & Kashmir 
We strongly advise against travel to all parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Levels of violence remain high in Jammu and Kashmir. Serious incidents
of militancy continue in the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region.
Whilst not directed at tourists, violent incidents have occurred
recently in public places, including in Srinagar. There have also been
a number of landmine explosions and shelling continues across the Line
of Control. 
There is a risk of kidnapping. Militants took hostage five foreign
nationals, including two Britons, in July 1995: one was murdered and
the others are also feared dead. 
In North Ladakh, in the summer months, there is a high risk of
shelling from across the Line of Control in the Kargil area, where
there was a serious outbreak of fighting between Indian security
forces and infiltrators in the summer of 1999. 
Visitors should therefore be aware of travel agents, who will try to
convince them that it is safe to travel to Jammu or Kashmir. Despite
increased official promotion of Kashmir as a tourist centre, tensions
remain high there. No matter how convincing the agents appear to be,
their advice should not be followed. 
Business representatives and others considering a visit to Jammu and
Kashmir should consult the British High Commission, New Delhi. 
Other Northern States Trekking: In 2000, there were several attacks
(including murder) on trekkers in the mountain areas of Himachal
Pradesh and Ladakh. We recommend that trekkers travel in groups and
engage local guides. 
There have been small bomb explosions on trains and in and around
Delhi including shopping areas frequently visited by tourists, train
stations and in a hotel in Paharganj, home to most of the budget
accommodation. Visitors to Delhi should therefore remain vigilant in
public places and around tourist attractions. 
Petty crime is common in Delhi. Tourists should take care of their
bags, wallets and passports, particularly when travelling by train or
bus. Avoid individuals at railway stations offering tickets and tours
(mainly to Kashmir and Rajasthan. 
East and North East India Most visits to Eastern India are
trouble-free but visitors should be aware of the risk of violent crime
in rural areas of Bihar. 
Some states in North East India, particularly Arunachal Pradesh,
Mizoram and Sikkim are generally safe. However, visitors should be
aware that militant groups are operating in mainly rural areas of
other North East states. We advise against all holiday and other
non-essential travel to Manipur and Tripura. While foreigners are not
targets of violence, attacks can be indiscriminate. 
Permits are required for travel to Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh,
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
South India 
There have been bomb/land mine explosions in Andhra Pradesh mainly
directed at local government officials. Travellers should remain
vigilant. 
Western Region 
There has been serious communal violence in a number of cities and
some smaller communities across Gujarat with several hundred killed
and curfews imposed in some areas. The situation remains volatile,
particularly in rural areas. We advise visitors to exercise caution
and to monitor developments through the media before confirming travel
arrangements. We strongly advise against travelling on highways in
rural areas in Gujarat at present. 
An earthquake in January 2001 caused catastrophic damage in the Kutch
area of Gujarat. Buildings were destroyed in several other cities in
Gujarat (including Ahmedabad). 
Visitors to Mumbai should be aware that armed robbers have held up
taxis travelling along the main highway from the airport to the city
in the early hours of the morning (between 0200 and 0600) when there
is little traffic on the roads. Visitors using the route during these
times should, where possible, arrange to travel by coach or seek
advice at the airport on arrival. 
Passengers who have cleared customs and immigration at Mumbai airport
should be wary of approaches by thieves posing as Government officials
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Potresti indicare la fonte di queste notizie????
grazie, GiorgiA
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grazie, GiorgiA
E' il Foreign & Commonwealth Office
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029390572
vincio :)
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