Canada raises warning level for travellers to India

OTTAWA - Canada has raised its warning level for travellers to India after violence over the Telangana statehood demand.

Urging its citizens travelling to India to exercise great caution “at all times”, the Department of Foreign Affairs says: “Since early December, a number of protests and strikes have been taking place in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Several of these, in the vicinity of Osmania University in Hyderabad, turned violent.

“Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and follow the advice of local authorities.”

It says Canadian travellers should also be vigilant on Republic Day Jan 26 as militants have struck on these occasions in the past.

“Canadians residing or travelling in India are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, remain aware of their surroundings, monitor local news reports, follow the advice of local authorities, avoid crowded places, and take appropriate steps to increase their personal security,” the advisory warns.

Referring to the terror attacks in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, New Delhi and later the Mumbai carnage in 2008, the advisory says: “The occurrence of more violent attacks is impossible to predict but the threat of terrorism remains high throughout India, including attacks targeting places frequented by foreign visitors and expatriates.

“Bombings and attacks are perpetrated on a regular basis by extremist groups in the state of Assam, and in the rural areas in the states of Bihar, Jharkland, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa.”

Even before the violence over the Telangana demand broke out, the Canadian foreign affairs department maintained a strongly worded advisory about the situation in India.

The vast majority of Canadians who travel to India are of Indian origin.