Amid apprehensions that the attack on the Swiss tourist couple in Agra’s Fatehpur Sikri could affect India’s tourism sector, Tourism Minister KJ Alphons on Friday asserted that the country was a “very safe” destination as very few such incidents take place and pointed out to the shootings in the US and the terror attacks in Europe.
“Do we call those countries unsafe to travel,” he questioned.
“India is a very safe destination for tourists, very few incidents take place in a year,” Alphons was quoted as saying by a news agency.
The Union Minister also hit back at those labelling India as a dangerous country to visit. “Shooting incidents happen regularly in USA and terror attacks in Europe, do we call those countries unsafe to travelIJ asked Alphons.
His comments come days after Quentin Jeremy Clerc and Marie Droz, who came to India on September 30, were allegedly attacked by a group of men near the railway station at Fatehpur Sikri in Uttar Pradesh. The Swiss nationals were reportedly left bloodied and bruised by the attackers.
All the accused in connection with the case have been arrested, police said earlier in the day.
On Thursday, Alphons had written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath saying that the incident could have a negative impact on the image of the country. “A fast and speedy response in identifying and ensuring speedy action, including the conviction of the guilty, would be reassuring, as also a good message of our efforts to prevent recurrence of such incidents,” the Minister wrote.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had also sought a report from the UP Government and said the Government is monitoring the progress of Clerc and Droz.