A German tourist, Holger Ereek, was beaten up allegedly by a railway supervisor for not ‘acknowledging’ his greeting at the Robertsganj Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra on Saturday.

The injured German tourist was referred to Mirzapur hospital for treatment.

The accused, Aman Kumar,  and Circle officer Vivekanand Tiwarihas have been arrested by the police and an investigation in the case is underway.

However, Kumar claimed innocence and said the German tourist attacked him first, when he said “Welcome to India” to him. Kumar has even alleged that the tourist spat on him, according to media reports. The victim has refused to talk to the media.

According to reports, Ereek was allegedly beaten up by railway supervisor Aman Kumar on Saturday after which the station master informed the police.

According to reports, the railway supervisor enquired the German national about his well-being, which angered him.

The German tourist ‘hit’ the railway employee, who might have pushed him in retaliation. Based on the complaints of the two, non- congnisable reports have been registered. Their medical examination has been conducted,” ADG (Law and Order) Anand Kumar told reporters in Lucknow..

The attack on the German tourist comes days after a Swiss couple was physically assaulted by a group of youths in Fatehpur Sikri in Agra. On 22 October, Quentin Jeremy Clerc and his girlfriend Marie Droz were attacked by a group of young men when they were strolling near the railway station at Fatehpur Sikri.

Clerc had alleged that a group of young men started following them and after passing comments, they forced the couple to stop so they could take selfies with Marie.

Five youths, including three minors, were arrested by Uttar Pradesh police for allegedly physically assaulting a Swiss couple in Agra.

The attack on the Swiss couple was condemned across party lines with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking an immediate report from the Uttar Pradesh government into the alleged assault on the couple.

Earlier, Union Minister KJ Alphons had offered all-expense-paid hospitality at ITDC Hotel, The Ashoka, to the Swiss Couple Marie Droze and Quentin Jeremy Clerc.

Incidents of violence against tourists are not new to the historical city, as a German woman was allegedly molested by a hotel manager at Agra in 2017 and two Japanese tourists were gang-raped in the city in 2007.

Attack on tourists in Uttar Pradesh can be seen as a blow to India’s focus on promoting tourism in the country, as the historical city is already witnessing high-voltage political drama over the authenticity of Taj Mahal as a mausoleum, after Hindu religious groups alleged that the monument was initially a Lord Shiva temple.

(With agency inputs)