Warden Message

U.S. Consulate General
Kolkata, India
November 23, 2007

Given the serial explosions and tragic loss of life today in the Uttar Pradesh towns of Lucknow, Faizabad and Varanasi, the Embassy urges all Americans in India to maintain vigilance and familiarize themselves with the Safety and Security section of the Consular Information Sheet located on our Embassy website http://newdelhi,usemabssy.gov  excerpted below:

SAFETY AND SECURITY:  A number of anti-Western terrorist groups (some of which are on the U.S. government's list of foreign terrorist organizations are believed to be active in India., including, but not limited to, Islamic extremist groups such as Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba. While historically Jammu and Kashmir have been a focal point of terrorist activity, bomb blasts resulting in deaths and injuries have occurred in public places such as markets, as well as on public transportation such as trains and buses throughout India.  Examples of major attacks in recent years include the detonation of explosive devices on a train northwest of Delhi (February 2007), simultaneous attacks on Mumbai commuter trains (July 2006), simultaneous attacks on a train station and places of worship in Varanasi (March 2006), and simultaneous attacks on several markets in New Delhi (October 2005).  A number of other terrorist incidents causing fewer casualties have also occurred, including a few in which American citizens were injured.  The motive for many of these attacks has not been clearly established, although it is believed that U.S. citizens were not specifically targeted or injured in any of these attacks.   Specific areas of concern are addressed under "Areas of Instability" http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/consular_information_sheet.html.
Beyond the threat from terrorism, demonstrations are also likely to cause disruption. Protests can begin spontaneously and escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers' personal safety.  In response to such events, Indian authorities occasionally impose curfews and/or restrict travel.  U.S. citizens are urged to avoid demonstrations and rallies as they have the potential for violence, especially immediately preceding and following elections.  In addition, religious and inter-caste violence is unpredictable and occurs occasionally.  In some cases, demonstrators specifically block roads near popular tourist sites in order to gain the attention of Indian authorities, although tourists are rarely attacked in these incidents.  Mobs have, however, attacked Indian and American missionaries and social workers as such activity provokes strong reactions in some areas.  U.S. citizens should monitor local television and print media and 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.

The Embassy strongly recommends that all American citizens in India register their presence at http://travel.state.gov. 

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcements can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information. Each of the telephone numbers listed below is available 24 hours a day for emergency services.

---The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407.  The Embassy’s Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.

---The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai is located at Lincoln House,  78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350.  Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.

---The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071, telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335.  The internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.

---The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2857-4344.  The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.

This Warden Message is being issued to warn U.S. citizens residing or traveling in West Bengal of the dangers of street demonstrations occurring in the central part of Kolkata.   Demonstrators have damaged several vehicles.  Local police are attempting to respond to the disturbance. The army is being deployed in the city to assist local police. 

We remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations and to move quickly away from any demonstrations they may encounter. U.S. citizens should closely monitor local media and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate in Kolkata, India, can be reached during regular business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) by telephone at 033-3984-2443; by fax at 033-2282-2335; and by e-mail at consularkolkata@state.gov. After hours, in case of emergency, a duty officer can be reached by calling the Consulate switchboard at 033-3984-2400.