Page 742 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

740  SUR VIV AL GUIDE

Personal Security and Health

Each state in India has its own police force, which is run from
local police stations (thanas). If you need to report a crime,
such as theft, to the police, try to do so within 24 hours of
the incident. Although Indian police are generally helpful, the
system itself is extremely bureaucratic and prone to
corruption, so it is always best to contact your embassy or
consular office for help and advice in the first instance. For
a trouble-free visit, a few simple precautions are necessary.
Protect your valuables and important documents at all
times, stay and eat in places that look clean, and drink only
bottled mineral water. If you require quick medical attention, Policeman in uniform directing traffic
it is better to opt for a private clinic rather than one of the in Kolkata
many government-run hospitals.
throughout India, especially at
airports and railway stations.
General Precautions idea to let your hotel know Bag-and body-searches are
Travelling in India is relatively where you are going and carry usual when entering cinemas
safe for tourists. Take simple photocopies of important and public auditoria. Never pick
safety measures, such as documents. Do not stray into up unattended baggage, and
wearing a money belt under deserted areas alone, especially inform the police immediately if
your shirt for cash and at night, and avoid hitchhiking. you notice anything suspicious.
important documents, such
as passports and visas. Protect
your camera and phone and Danger Areas Narcotics
avoid wearing jewellery or The border areas are high- Since the 1960s, India has
carrying large amounts of cash security zones, so when been part of the “hippy trail”,
in crowded areas. Valuables trekking or travelling in the with marijuana easily available.
can be kept in a hotel safe, Himalayan regions make sure With the arrival of Ecstasy and
but do insist on a receipt. you have an Inner Line Permit other harder drugs in the 1990s,
While shopping, ensure that (see pp734–5). The state of particularly in places such as
shopkeepers make out a bill Jammu and Kashmir has had Goa, the law has tightened
and process your credit or long-standing militant activity consider ably. Possession,
debit card in front of you. There and much of the state is trafficking and use of narcotics
have been incidents of tourists unsafe for visitors (see p158). (including marijuana) is now
being drugged and robbed, Before travelling to such areas, banned by law and punishable
especially on trains, so never it is a good idea to contact the by tough jail sentences. Drug
accept food or drink from state tourism department in convictions lead to a minimum
strangers. Padlock your Patna (see p219) for up-to-date sentence of ten years without
luggage to the chain beneath infor mation on the law and parole or remission. Never
your seat during train journeys. order situation. In restricted carry anything for strangers
It is a good areas always travel in or check in their luggage for
groups rather than them at airports. A Narcotic
on your own. Drugs and Psychotropic
Communal unrest Substances Court has been
and even riots are established specifically to try
usually confined drug-related offences.
to the crowded
older parts of cities. Women Travellers
A police jeep It is best to avoid these
areas if the political situation is Women, both Indian and
uneasy, or during important foreign, face a certain amount
religious festivals, which of unwanted male attention,
attract large crowds. even though “eve-teasing” is
today a punishable offence.
When women are travelling
Security
alone, the problems they
Since the attack might encounter range from
on Mumbai on being stared at to more active
26 November 2008, harassment such as suggestive
A hospital ambulance security has been tightened comments and body contact in

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