A man was arrested for allegedly attacking a German tourist at Sonbhadra railway station in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, ANI reported. Aman Kumar, a local electrician, allegedly assaulted Holger Erik because the latter ignored his greetings, the Hindustan Times reported, quoting the police. Erik was later taken to a hospital.
Uttar Pradesh Police, however, said that a complaint has been lodged against the German man too. “I think he [Holger Erik] has some depression issues,” Additional Director General A Kumar told ANI. “There have been previous complaints against the German national, his visa had expired and passport impounded earlier.”
The attack took place after Erik got down from a train and was looking for directions to go to Agori Fort for his research on the city. Kumar greeted him but got offended on not getting a reaction. He then allegedly pushed Erik to the ground and started slapping him, the police said.
“I am innocent, the German tourist punched me when I said ‘welcome to India’ to him,” Kumar said. “He even spat on me.”
The attack on the German tourist comes days after a Swiss couple was assaulted by a group of people in Agra’s Fatehpur Sikri on October 22. Quentin Jeremy Clerc’s skull was fractured and his hearing was affected in the assault while Marie Droz was left with a broken arm.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!