TV
The United States of America has issued a fresh travel advisory for its women citizens visiting India, advising them to avoid solo travel to six states, including Odisha. The advisory, issued as part of a routine update, highlights concerns over crime, sexual violence, and terrorism in these states of India.
Along with Odisha, the advisory lists Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Meghalaya as states where female tourists should exercise heightened caution, particularly when traveling alone or in remote areas.
“The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas. These areas stretch from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Due to risk, US government employees working in India must obtain special authorization to travel to these states,” the notification read.
The advisory specifically states that women should avoid solo travel to these regions, especially outside capital cities, unless special permissions or precautions are in place.
“Do not travel alone, especially if you are a woman,” the advisory said.
Do Not Travel To This Area Due To Terrorism: US Travel Advisory
Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Attacks against officers of the Indian government continue to occur sporadically in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affected.The Naxalites have carried out many terrorist attacks, targeting local police, paramilitary forces, and government officials.
The US also reiterated earlier warnings related to Jammu & Kashmir, areas along the India-Pakistan border, and certain parts of northeastern India, marking them as sensitive zones due to security concerns.
Interestingly, while issuing the cautionary note, the US State Department pointed out that America itself ranks among the countries with the highest incidents of sexual violence globally, a fact that has drawn attention and debate over the relative safety of international travel for women.
Odisha Ministers Respond
Odisha Minister of Food Suppliers, Consumer Welfare, Krushna Chandra Patra said, “There is no peace-loving place like Odisha in the world. Though there are criminal activities, our government has taken a zero-tolerance stance. Is America crime-free? Even Trump and the White House were attacked.”
“America is not able to digest the fact that India is the fourth-highest economy in the world. Soon, we will secure the third position. A conspiracy is being hatched against India. There are riots, crimes against women, poor law and order situation in the US. Better, he should fix them and not interfere in what is happening in India,” said Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan.
Expressing concern about the development, senior journalist Prasanna Mohanty said, “This is very humiliating for us. This may affect tourism in our State. But surprisingly, the US ranks among the countries with the highest incidents of sexual violence globally.”
