Warden Message Regarding April 23, 2009 Strike In Tamil Nadu
On April 23rd, 2009, a general strike (“bandh”) will take place in the state of Tamil Nadu in response to recent military actions in Sri Lanka against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The strike is expected to take place from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Public transportation, including buses, taxis, rickshaws, trains, and air transport will likely be affected. Most schools, offices, and businesses are expected to be closed, and road travel is expected to be difficult. Due to the likely interruption of public transportation and other services, the Consulate General in Chennai will be closed on April 23rd for all but emergency services. U.S. Government employees have been advised to restrict their movements, and to postpone any non-essential travel.
Similar strikes in the past sometimes have spawned civil unrest, resulting in significant damage to public and private property. The Consulate wishes to remind American citizens that demonstrations in India can occur or escalate spontaneously and pose risks to the personal safety of travelers. American citizens should take care to avoid large gatherings of people in the street, maintain a low profile, and should monitor news reports regarding the location of any demonstrations that may occur.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and other Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Americans are also encouraged to read the Consular Information Sheet for India, available on the Embassy's website at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov, and also at http://travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. The Internet home page address is http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is located at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323 Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500 003; telephone 4033-8300, ext. 8441 or 8385 or 8406 or 4000; fax +91-40-4033-8303. The Consulate’s Internet home page address is http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov/.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. Internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov.