Indian FM seeks report on French tourists attack

NEW DELHI, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought a report from local government of Uttar Pradesh government over an alleged attack on French tourists, officials said Tuesday.

A group of French tourists accompanied by Indian friends were allegedly roughed up and misbehaved by locals on Sunday evening in Mirzapur district, about 285 km southeast of Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.

"I have asked for a report from government of Uttar Pradesh," Swaraj said.

The tourists were on a visit to a waterfall in the district when some people misbehaved with them. The tourists reportedly told police when they were about to wrap their visit, a couple of young men passed lewd remarks at the women in the group and later on few others joined them and attacked them.

Reports said one of the tourists was injured in the fight.

Police have detained eight people in this case.

Local media reports said initially police tried to shirk responsibility and kept the group waiting for hours.

The attack came days after a German national and a Swiss couple were attacked in Sonbhadra and Fatehpur Sikri of the state.

Tourism Minister KJ Alphons has called the incident deplorable and called for more sensitivity towards foreign travelers. Enditem