Assam Tourism sector hit hard in anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests

* 11 nations issue travel advisories to their citizens not to visit the region

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Tourism sector along with that of the entire Northeast is witnessing a nosedive insofar as tourists’ inflow to Assam is concerned. The problem has been further compounded with 11 nations issuing advisories to their respective nationals not to visit the State till the prevailing law-and-order situation improves. The State has been witnessing huge protests from various organizations daily in Assam over against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA)—2019.

As per official data, the 11 countries issuing travel advisories are the UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Canada, Australia, France, Israel, Taiwan, Russia, and Singapore. While the US government has temporarily suspended official travel to Assam; the Israeli Foreign Ministry has told its citizens “not to visit Assam because of violent riots with an ethnic background stopping traffic and flights and disrupting Internet and phone services.

With reference to the Northeast and the country as a whole, the UK government has issued its warning asking its citizens “to avoid protests and large gatherings.” It added, “Stampedes have occurred during some events with large crowds including at political rallies and religious gatherings, resulting in deaths and injuries.” The French government has also asked its citizens “to keep a distance from the region”.

The embassy of Saudi Arabia to India issued a travel advisory for its citizens “to exercise caution and avoid trips to the Northeast Indian States due to the ongoing protests”. The UAE issued a notice asking its citizens “to stay away from protest zones”.

The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising its nationals “to exercise vigilance and caution” while travelling to NE India.

The spokesperson of Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joanne Ou said, “Potential Taiwan visitors to India are warned to exercise extra caution and reconsider their travel plans under the Ministry’s third highest travel alert, which is colour-coded yellow, in its four-tier warning system.”

Australia has warned its citizens of the backlash breaking out across India; demonstrations against the new CAA have taken place of the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura UP, W Bengal, Telangana, and Delhi NCR including reports of violence.

The Russian government advised “its citizens who are in India or planning to visit the country to be vigilant, cautious, avoid crowds ad refrain from visiting areas controlled by protestors.”

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