November 14, 2002	Thursday	Ramazan 8, 1423

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NEW DELHI, Nov 13: Britain has advised its citizens not to visit the annual Pushkar fair in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan because it is a potential target for terrorists, the British foreign office said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Pushkar Mela which starts on Friday, Nov 15, is assessed as being a potential target of terrorist activity. While we have no indication of a specific threat to British nationals, we advise that they should not attend this event,” it said.

The annual fair normally attracts thousands of tourists, who are drawn by the huge camel market and rural handicrafts market which accompanies it.

The warning by the British Foreign Office is likely to affect India’s tourism industry, which was emerging from a prolonged lean period.

The industry’s revenues had fallen drastically this year because of travel advisories issued by Western countries in June and July to their citizens advising them against travelling to South Asia, due to heightened military tension between Pakistan and India.—AFP