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allowing the latter =ffshore gas exploration rights in the Bay of Bengal. The protest is =eing organised by National
Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral =esources, Power and Ports group to highlight various concerns, =ncluding the
potential for increased gas prices and the trade deal's =rovision of corporate tax exemption benefits.
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China: Hong Kong: =xpect localised disruption, make alternative transport arrangements =uring taxi operators' protests
on 17 March <x-msg://7/#1057501>
Members in Hong Kong should expect localised disruption and =ake alternative transport arrangements during protests
by taxi =perators' unions in the morning hours of 17 March in the central =usiness district (CBD). The organisers plan to
surround the Central =overnment Offices and the Legislative Council (LegCo) building in the =dmiralty area with 100
taxis, while 400 taxis will be parked on roads =round the harbourfront area in Central district. The operators are
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=rotesting against a government plan to introduce 600 premium taxis in =ong Kong. The event in Admiralty will coincide
with a discussion on the =roposal in the LegCo.
More <x-msg://7/#1057501>
India: Delhi, environs: =nticipate road blockades by protesting ethnic-Jats on 20 =arch <x-msg://7/#1057521>
Members in the capital Delhi and the =djoining areas of National Capital Region (NCR) on 20 March should =xpect
significant travel disruption during planned protests by the =thnic-Jat Akhil Bhartiya Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti
(ABJASS) group. =BJASS, which has been campaigning for quotas for Tats in state =overnment jobs and educational
institutions, has threatened to block =he prime minister's residence, the parliament building, and all =ighways and roads
in Delhi on the day if its demands are not met.
More <x-msg://7/14057521>
India: Fatal sexual assault of =rish national in Goa highlights need for stringent =recautions cx-msg://7/#1057294>
The police on 15 March arrested a =an from Canacona city (South Goa district, Goa state) on charges of =aping and
killing a female Irish national. The victim had travelled to =outh Goa with a friend on 13 March, to participate in the
celebration =f the Hindu festival of Holi (commonly referred to as the efestiv=l of colours'). Her body was found in
Devbagh village the following =ay. The incident highlights the need for female travellers to adopt =tringent precautions
at all times to mitigate the risk of sexual =ssault, particularly in tourist areas.
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Maldives: Anticipate increased =ecurity, associated disruption during Saudi Arabian king's visit from =8 March <x-
msg://7/#1057506>
Members should expect heightened =ecurity and associated travel disruption during Saudi Arabian King =alman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud's visit from 18 March until at least 22 =arch. Roads along the capital Male's northern waterfront on 18
March, =ncluding in the vicinity of Republic Square where the welcome ceremony =ill be held, will be closed from 12.00
(local time) until the event =nds on the day.
More <x-msg://7/#1057506>
North Korea: Malaysian nationals =hould continue to defer all travel due to government ban on leaving =ountry
Nine Malaysians - three embassy staff =nd their family members — remain stranded in North Korea =ollowing a
government ban on 7 March on Malaysian nationals from =eaving the country. The ban appears to be applicable only to
embassy =mployees as two Malaysian UN workers were able to leave the country on = March. Nonetheless, we continue
to advise all Malaysian nationals to =efer travel to North Korea during this period of heightened diplomatic =ensions
following the assassination in Malaysia of Kim Jong-nam, the =alf-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Members
from other =ountries can continue to travel to North Korea, but should monitor =evelopments closely and be fully aware
of, and compliant with, the =ountry's strict regulations throughout their visit.
More <x-msg://7/#1057514>
Pakistan: =slamabad: Anticipate heightened security, associated disruption during =akistan Day celebrations on 23
March <x-msg://7/#1057486>
Members =hould expect disruption associated with heightened security measures =nd large crowds in the capital
Islamabad on 23 March during Pakistan =ay (also known as Republic Day) celebrations. About 5,000 security =orce
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personnel will be deployed to secure the annual military parade at =he Parade Ground in the Sharkarparian parkland
area, east of the =slamabad Highway. Security checkpoints will be established at all entry =nd exit points of the city; the
underpass at Faizabad interchange will =e closed on the day.
More <x-msg://7/#1057486>
Europe & =15
Belarus: Urban centres: =nticipate, avoid further protests over controversial tax (Revised) =/a> <x-msg://7/#1057508>
Members in urban centres should expect and =void further protests to demand that the government annul a tax on