UK issues Indian travel warning

Following the lead of the US the UK has issued its citizens with a travel advisory warning regarding travel to the south-eastern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh following outbursts of violence in the region over the issue of Statehood for Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh is the fourth biggest Indian state and its capital Hyderabad has long been a political hotbed. Earlier this month the Indian government announced that the Telegu speaking region of the state known as Telangana would be given the methods for proceeding with a separate state under the Indian parliament. This was later rescinded to declare that the issue would only be decided after a consensus had been reached thereby placing the new state in abeyance. The indecision has led to widespread civil unrest and travellers are advised to take the relevant precautions.

In a statement issued by the British government it is advised that tensions caused by separatists both for and against the statehood is provoking violence. The travel advice further recommends that all visitors to Andhra Pradesh and particularly Hyderabad avoid public places and crowded areas. Earlier the US had issued a similar warning to its citizens which is still displayed on the US Indian website. All US citizens have been urged to defer any travel to the region that is non-essential, with the warning effective until the new year.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC), designed to implement the Telangana state is already experiencing division with the Telugu Desam Party advising it will pursue the matter independently, citing coalition partner political allegiances as the reason.