GUWAHATI: Assam Tourism Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asked UK and Australia to rectify travel advisory to its citizens on Assam.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued advisory to its citizens saying, “Although the overall security situation in the North-East of India is improving, some areas within the North-Eastern states, especially in Manipur and Assam, still experience sudden and random outbreaks of violence. There have been several incidents of violence in Assam including a shooting in Kokrajhar on August 5, 2016 resulting in 14 deaths, and grenade explosions in Lakhimpur, Karbi Anglong and Guwahati. Review your security arrangements carefully, seek advice from the local authorities and avoid large crowds.”
Terming the clubbing together of Assam with some disturbed parts of the country, Sarma urged his counterparts in the two countries to address this “careless oversight” and avoid inadvertently alluding Assam as a forbidden destination.
Sarma in a statement added, “Assam is a fine abode of natural beauty while its peace loving people give immense love and affection to all those who come here. Any misrepresentation of the actual situation creates unnecessary fears besides impacting the tourism potential of the state.”
Tourism Minister said the law and order situation in Assam is perfect and any fear or apprehension is unfounded.
Sarma in a statement added, “Assam is a fine abode of natural beauty while its peace loving people give immense love and affection to all those who come here. Any misrepresentation of the actual situation creates unnecessary fears besides impacting the tourism potential of the state.”
Tourism Minister said the law and order situation in Assam is perfect and any fear or apprehension is unfounded.
The Australian advisory says, “We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to these areas due to the risk of armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and separatist and insurgent violence, including in rural areas. Insurgent groups have attacked civilians and bombed buildings in these states. On August5, 2016 terrorists attacked a market at Balajan Tinali in Kokrajhar district in the state of Assam killing at least 14 civilians.”
Sarma said, “I wish to reassure my distinguished friends in the Governments of UK and Australia that Assam is a wonderful land of peace loving people comprising various tribal groups, rich flora and fauna, magnificent cuisines, mesmerizing landscapes and the world famous Kaziranga National Park, which is home to the very rare single horned Rhino.”
He added that the diverse ethnic and cultural groups of Assamese society have co-existed with enormous harmony and displayed exemplary bonhomie for decades together. “Any representation of minor skirmishes as state wide disturbance amounts to inexplicable exaggeration and causes unnecessary anxiety for our esteemed tourists who wish to visit the state.”
News Source: India Times
