New
Australian Travel Advisory, India
|
Topic: New
Australian Travel Advisory, India
Posted: Barry
Pittard, Australia, March 24, 2003
Email: bpittard@beachaccess.com.au
Sent to: www.exbaba.com
Ref: http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/India
I copy below a revised Travel Advice to Australians, which was issued by
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Friday 21 March 2003 16:50:28 EDT
For three years, the
Australian Sathya Sai Baba Expose has been knocking - sometimes very insistently - on the
doors of the Prime Minister's Department and Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Of course, we went
all out to get a Travel Advisory specific to Sathya Sai Baba. Considering
this three years of nil response, it hard to understand how the Travel Advisory
could not have heeded the Expose case, and at the very least advise as they have at last
done:
Australians
should be aware of persistent allegations of sexual misconduct made against certain
prominent cults and their leaders in India and reported in the media.
Better late than
never? No, better never late! Anyway, at least it is there, now.
On the other
hand, UNESCO had the steel to actually name Sathya Sai Baba in its very critical
Media Advisory, September 9, 2000. And at least the US State Department, in its
Consular Information Sheet, November 23, 2001, clearly pointed to Puttaparthi,
warning of reports of sexual abuse of males by the religious teacher there. No doubt for
political reasons, Sai Baba was not named. Both the UNESCO and US government actions
were prompted by strenuous representations to the highest levels by a former devotee
Expose team.
Particularly relevant
to efforts to get the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to widen its terms of
reference about terrorism is the passage in last Friday's update, which states:
Australians
should take account of the potential for politically motivated violence and for terrorist
activity by militant groups, including possible attacks against national institutions
within major cities and at religious sites, festivals and events frequented by Westerners.
Australians should avoid large public gatherings and exercise caution, particularly in
commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners.
Is Puttaparthi not a
large public gathering? Although Sai Baba has grossly exaggerated crowd numbers who come
to see him (as witness the V.K. Narasimhan's private revelations to Robert Priddy), there
are not too many larger public gatherings than those at Puttaparthi. Let us recall
the three prime enemies of many militant Islamic groups: the 'Christian' West;
Hinduism; and Judaism. There is a remarkable confluence of all three groups at
Puttaparthi.
Barry Pittard
Email: bpittard@beachaccess.com.au
India
This
Advice is current for Monday 24 March 2003 EDT
The
Advice was issued on Friday 21 March 2003 16:50:28 EDT
This
advice has been reviewed. It contains new information or advice but the overall warning
level has not changed.
Australians
in India should take account of the potential for politically-motivated violence and for
terrorist activity by militant groups, including attacks against national institutions in
major cities and at religious sites, festivals and events frequented by Westerners.
Australians should exercise caution, particularly in commercial and public areas known to
be frequented by foreigners, avoid large public gatherings or demonstrations and maintain
a high level of personal security awareness.
Australians
should take account of continuing tensions between India and Pakistan. The situation is
unpredictable and could deteriorate at relatively short notice. Australians should not
travel to the border areas between India and Pakistan, except Amritsar and Jaisalmer, and
should avoid travel to Jammu and Kashmir.
Australians
in India should register with the Australian High Commission in New Delhi.
This
travel advice should be read in conjunction with the General Advice to Australian
Travellers, available at http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/General
Safety
and Security
Australians
in India should register with the Australian High Commission in New Delhi and should carry
proof of identity at all times. They should closely monitor developments that might affect
their safety, monitor local news reports and act on the advice of local authorities.
Australians
should take account of the potential for politically motivated violence and for terrorist
activity by militant groups, including possible attacks against national institutions
within major cities and at religious sites, festivals and events frequented by Westerners.
Australians should avoid large public gatherings and exercise caution, particularly in
commercial and public areas known to be frequented by foreigners.
Australians
should take account of continuing tensions between India and Pakistan. The situation
remains unpredictable and could deteriorate at relatively short notice. Australians should
not travel to the areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab closely bordering Pakistan, other
than Amritsar and Jaisalmer. Shelling continues across the Line of Control in Kashmir.
Minefields were laid in some rural areas along the India/Pakistan border in 2002. Although
some de-mining is underway, there are areas that remain heavily mined and hazardous.
Trans-border coach, rail and air services are suspended. Australians who choose to travel
to border areas should closely monitor events that might affect their safety and follow
the advice of local authorities.
Australians
should also avoid travel to Jammu and Kashmir other than travel to Ladakh via Manali or by
air to Leh. There continue to be serious security problems in Srinagar, elsewhere in the
Kashmir valley, and in other parts of the state. Armed clashes and terrorist activities
occur frequently, which continue to result in death and injury to civilians. Australians
should be wary of travel agents who try to convince them that it is safe to travel to
Jammu and Kashmir.
Australians
should be aware that several foreign citizens have been attacked or have disappeared while
visiting the Kulu/Manali district in Himachal Pradesh, particularly on some of the more
remote trekking routes. Those considering trekking excursions are advised to register
their presence with the local police and to avoid trekking alone or in small groups.
The
security situation in the northeast remains uncertain. Australians should defer
non-essential travel to the states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur and exercise
caution if travelling in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
There
are communal tensions in various parts of India, including parts of Gujarat. Occasionally,
curfews are imposed and while violence is not normally directed at foreigners, Australians
should pay particular attention to their personal security, monitor local news reports and
act on the advice of local authorities. They should also avoid travel at night in these
areas.
General
Prior
permission is required from the Indian authorities to visit certain parts of the country,
particularly the northeast. For example, permits are required for Mizoram, Manipur,
Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, parts of Kulu District and Spiti District of Himachal
Pradesh, border areas of Jammu and Kashmir, some areas of Uttar Pradesh, parts of
Rajasthan adjacent to the international border and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The
Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi has advised that the minimum period of notice
required for processing applications for permits is four weeks. Advice on particular
requirements should be sought from your travel agent or from the Indian mission in the
city closest to you. Contact details for foreign representatives in Australia can be found
on our website at http://www.dfat.gov.au/protocol
Attacks
by pirates against ships in South Asian waters can occur. Mariners should take appropriate
precautions. Further information can be found at
http://www.dfat.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Piracy
Australians
should be aware that in some parts of India there are sensitivities about missionary
activity, usually in rural areas. In January 1999, an Australian missionary and his two
young sons were murdered in the eastern state of Orissa.
Physical
harassment of women, especially those travelling alone, is a problem and sexual assault
can occur. Women travelling alone, especially in rural areas, are at risk of unwanted
attention and can find themselves in difficulty particularly at night but also during the
day. Australians should familiarise themselves with local customs before arriving in India
and are advised to dress and behave modestly. Women should avoid wearing short-sleeved
garments or shorts and physical contact between men and women in public should also be
avoided.
Australians
should be aware of persistent allegations of sexual misconduct made against certain
prominent cults and their leaders in India and reported in the media.
Australians
are advised to use only recognised taxis and limousine services, and where available,
should seek information from authorised service counters at airports, railway and bus
stations.
Australians
are advised to exercise care when riding motorcycles. It is obligatory for riders to wear
helmets. Travellers intending to ride motorcycles should check that their travel insurance
polices cover injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents. Both an international and
Australian driving licence are required to drive or ride legally and to validate any
applicable insurance. An Australian licence alone is not sufficient, despite the advice to
the contrary by some car and motorcycle rental companies.
Australians
are advised to be very wary of unsolicited approaches for provision of various services,
particularly for assistance with shopping for jewellery, gems and carpets. There are
validated cases of tourists being intimidated or tricked into purchasing items which are
grossly overvalued. When shopping for jewellery, gems and carpets, visitors should use
only reputable outlets - there are government jewellery and carpet outlets in India and
these are listed in government tourist literature. There are no special tax-free
arrangements on holidays or other special occasions.
Health
For
information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, travellers should consult their doctor
or a travel clinic. Contact details for travel clinics can be found in our 'Travelling
Well' brochure available on the department's website.
Travel
and Health Insurance
Travel
and medical insurance is strongly recommended for all overseas travel. Travellers should
check with their insurer to make sure that their policy meets their needs. In particular,
travellers should be aware that some insurance companies will not pay claims which arise
when travellers have disregarded the Government's travel advice.
Consular
Assistance and Registration
Australians
in India are advised to register their presence with the Australian High Commission in New
Delhi at Australian Compound No. 1/50 G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - telephone
(91 11) 2688 8223, facsimile (91 11) 2687 2228 or the Australian Consulate-General in
Mumbai at address: 16th Floor, Maker Towers E, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai (Bombay) -
telephone (91 22) 2218 1071, facsimile (91 22) 2218 8228.
The
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also offers an on-line registration service,
accessible via the internet, at http://www.orao.dfat.gov.au
The
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 62613305.