Outrage Over Attack On Swiss Couple

NEW DELHI: A Swiss couple was left wounded on the road after being chased by a group of men and attacked with sticks and stones in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra on Sunday, a day after they visited the Taj Mahal. Witnesses took videos of the couple on their mobile phones as they lay on the ground. Five people have been arrested, say the police.

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Tourism Minister KJ Alphons have written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the brutal assault that left Quentin Jeremy Clerc with a fractured skull and partial hearing loss, and his girlfriend Marie Droxz with a broken arm.

"It is a matter of shame for us," said Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma.

The attack dimmed the spectacle of Yogi Adityanath's first visit as Chief Minister to the Taj Mahal today, where he also clicked photos with foreign tourists.

"Strongest action will be taken in incidents of violence against tourists," Yogi Adityanath told reporters as he wrapped up his visit.

The couple is in Delhi's Apollo hospital. Clerk has a clot in the brain and a nerve in his ear has been affected.

Clerc and Marie Droxz, both 24, had arrived in Agra on September 30 from Lausanne in Switzerland.

After visiting the Taj, they were in the historic Fatehpur Sikri town on Sunday when they were attacked.

Four young men followed them for an hour, shouted comments and tried to engage them in conversation. Eventually they grew bolder, blocked their way and forcibly took selfies with Ms Droxz.

Mr Clerc alleges that he was hit repeatedly with a stick until he fell to the ground. Ms Droxz was also attacked.

"Some of (the attackers) could be minors, so we are investigating and if they are indeed minors they will be produced in juvenile court," senior police officer Amit Pathak told reporters.

Foreign ministry officials including Indian Ambassador designate to Switzerland CB George visited the couple in hospital and said they were recovering and happy with their treatment. "We are monitoring his progress," Ms Swaraj, who had earlier sought a report from Uttar Pradesh, said on Thursday eveningAgra, which draws millions of visitors from across the world, has been concerned about a hit in its traffic following the politics over Taj Mahal and also a spike in crime.

Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, referring to the anti-Romeo squads or police teams set up by the Yogi Adityanath government to check harassment, questioned: "What happened to anti-Romeo squads? A couple visiting Fatehpur Sikri were beaten when they tried to click a selfie."

Congress leader Milind Deora tweeted: "Such a shameful story on the breakdown of law & order in India's largest state. Is @myogiadityanath listening?"