New Delhi:
Canada today updated its travel advisory for India amid escalating tensions. In many ways, the advice reflects what the US advises its citizens.
Canadian citizens have previously been warned against traveling in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, with special mention of Assam and violence-hit Manipur.
The advisory, which explicitly mentioned Jammu and Kashmir, said: “The security situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is tense. There are high risks of violent protests, civil unrest and acts of terrorism and militancy.”
“Violent clashes between militants and security forces are common. Terrorist attacks on security forces have resulted in civilian casualties. New attacks can happen at any time. You could be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” it added.
Regarding the Northeast, the report said: “Several extremist and insurgent groups are active in the northeastern states of Assam and Manipur. They regularly target local government and security forces and may use various criminal activities to finance their activities. Ethnic tensions in the state may also occur. lead to conflict and civil unrest.
Earlier today, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – who had alleged the involvement of “agents of the Indian government” in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – said he was not seeking to “provoke” India or increase tension escalate’, but wants New Delhi to take the killing of the separatist with “the utmost seriousness”.
“We are not looking for provocation or escalation,” Justin Trudeau told reporters today. “We want to work with the Indian government to clarify everything and ensure that proper processes are in place,” he had added.
India has rejected Trudeau’s claims. “Allegations about the Indian government’s involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated,” the State Department said. As the matter escalated, Canada and India each expelled a senior diplomat from the other country.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, head of the outlawed Khalistan Tiger Force and one of India’s most wanted terrorists, was shot dead by two unknown gunmen on June 18. He was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. .
