The Uttar Pradesh police on Thursday arrested five youth for the assault on a Swiss couple at Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. The Swiss tourists were stalked and harassed by local youth before being brutally assaulted with stones and sticks on October 22.
Quentin Jeremy Clerc and his partner Marie Droz, both in their twenties, sustained severe injuries in the attack and were shifted to the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi after being taken to a PHC and then a government hospital in Agra. Mr. Clerc suffered a fractured skull while Ms. Droz had a broken arm and many bruises. According to the doctor treating them, their condition is stable.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad, senior consultant neurosurgeon, said, “Mr. Clerc came in with extensive injury to his skull. He had a fracture and blood clots. His nerve leading to the ear has sustained injury causing hearing loss. He was put in the intensive care unit and was later shifted out after his condition stabilised. Ms. Droz had a fracture on her forearm which was attended to.”
“They just want to be left alone at the moment and are not ready to speak to the media just yet. All they want right now is to recover soon and leave,” said an official from the hospital.
The locals who harassed and assaulted the couple had allegedly tried to engage them in a conversation and insisted upon clicking selfies with the woman. After a set of intrusive questions, the accused surrounded them and assaulted Mr. Clerc with stones and sticks. Ms. Droz was attacked when she came to his defence.
Police said they were informed of the incident through an emergency 100 alert by a local person. After the victims communicated to the police their ‘refusal’ to lodge an FIR, the police filed a non-cognizable report suo motu, U.P. Additional Director General of Police, Crime, Chandra Prakash, said.
Sushma seeks report
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report from the State government and directed officials of the MEA to meet the victims in the hospital.
The attack could have a negative impact on the image of the country, Union Minister of State for Tourism K.J. Alphons said in a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat has written to the Swiss Ambassador Andreas Baum, saying the “shocking and horrifying” attack on two Swiss nationals in Agra was “extremely shameful” for Indians.
