Three American tourists, including two brothers, were thrashed by locals after they allegedly misbehaved with women on a street at Thoothukudi on New Year’s Eve.
The three from California were allegedly in an inebriated state and hugged women on the pretext of wishing them Happy New Year. While Rose, 48, and John Francis, 46, were later handed over to police, the third accused fled.
The Francis brothers, who suffered bruises and concussions in the attack around 9 pm, are undergoing treatment at Thoothukudi Government Medical College Hospital.
Police has registered a case against the Americans under section 295 (A) of Prohibition Of Women’s Harassment Act. A counter-case against a group of unidentified men was also registered for attacking the US citizens.
Police said the tourists had booked a local hotel for night stay. They planned to leave for Chennai Monday and take a flight back home from there on January 2.
The drunk trio came out of the hotel around 9 pm and started hugging women passersby.
The women raised an alarm, but the three, probably unaware of Indian culture and customs, continued their misbehaviour.
As locals could not communicate with the well-built Californians, the situation became complicated, police said, adding that some youths then hit the three with stones and boxed them.
The tourists had earlier allegedly picked up a quarrel with the priest of a Vinayagar temple after he objected to their entering drunk and with shoes.