US embassy in India shuts due to risk of protests

The United States embassy in New Delhi was shut on Friday and employees were asked to stay on the compound due to the risk of protests over an anti-Islam film, embassy sources said.

The United States embassy in New Delhi was shut on Friday and employees were asked to stay on the compound due to the risk of protests over an anti-Islam film, embassy sources said.

HT Image

The decision to close the embassy was taken by authorities to prevent any “untoward incident” near the highly guarded premises in the diplomatic quarter of the national capital, an official told AFP, requesting anonymity.

The embassy school has also closed for the day and US citizens travelling in India have been urged to exercise caution and monitor the local media for security updates.

A warden message on the embassy website said, “Due to possible demonstrations today, September 21, 2012, US Embassy and Consulate facilities in India will close early.”

Kashmir was roiled by protests last Friday and police in Chennai detained 86 protesters who attacked the US consulate, smashing windows and security cameras.
Google has blocked access in India to the low-budget film “Innocence of Muslims” on video-sharing website YouTube.