To apply balm, Alphons offers two nights' free stay to Swiss couple at Ashoka Hotel

In a move to perhaps apply balm on the hurt feelings of the Swiss tourists, Tourism Minister KJ Alphons has offered hospitality to them at The Ashoka Hotel in the capital. The Swiss couple - Marie Droze and Quentin Jeremy Clerc are recovering at Apollo Hospital here after they were badly bruised in a attack by anti-social elements in Fatehpur Sikri.

In his letter to the Swiss couple, Alphons has offered a room to the Swiss couple for two nights of their choice at the ITDC Hotel The Ashoka. In a gesture aimed at soothing the hurt feelings of the Swiss couple, the government has decided to bear the expenses of their stay.

In a letter to the couple, Alphons said, "Trust you are recovering fast and would be on your way home soon. As a token of our concern, we would like to offer you a room at our luxury hotel, The Ashoka, at Chankya Puri, New Delhi for two nights on the dates of your choice. All expenses at the hotel including food and beverages would be covered."

The couple from Lausanne in Switzerland were chased and attacked on October 22 with stones and sticks by the group of four youths in the tourist town of Fatehpur Sikri, about 40 km from Agra.

The incident prompted both External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Alphons to write to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and express anguish. Later, all five attackers were arrested.

Alphons said he was "deeply concerned" over the incident that could have a negative impact on the image of the country.

Swaraj has been monitoring the progress of Clerc, who along with his friend Droz, was admitted to Apollo Hospital. While Droz has been discharged, Clerc is still recovering.

Swaraj had also informed that External Affairs Joint Secretary S Bhattacharjee and Indian Ambassador designate to Switzerland CB George met the couple. They also spoke to the doctors concerned.