Swaraj seeks report after foreigners attacked in Pushkar

Some foreigners were attacked and looted in Pushkar on Tuesday, prompting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to seek a detailed report in the case even as Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje assured her that strict action against the accused was being taken.

“Swaraj spoke to the chief minister of Rajasthan who has said that strict action is being taken against the accused. The bags of Spanish tourists have already been located,” the MEA spokesperson said.

According to superintendent of police Ajmer Nitin Deep Blaggan, two men who are from the United States and the United Kingdom, and the women from Spain and Turkey had gone to Ajaypal Dham from Pushkar on two motorcycles on Wednesday when five-six unidentified men attacked them.

“Initially they followed and tried to tease them. When one the tourists objected, the accused hit him with a stone. They dragged one of the women and tore her clothes. The tourists managed to escape from the place and informed people who were known to them,” he said.

They were rushed to a local hospital where the injured tourist was given treatment. He is under observation at a private hospital on Pushkar road, the SP said.

The MEA has also asked the Rajasthan government to provide all assistance to the foreign tourists.

A case against the unidentified assailants was registered late on Monday night with Ganj police station under Indian Penal Code Sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly guilty of offence), 307 (attempt to murder) 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 395 (dacoity).

Local taxi drivers and certain other people are being questioned, another police officer said.