Incident involving Sri Lankan pilgrims unfortunate: MEA

New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI) The Indian External Affairs
Ministry Friday termed as "unfortunate" the attack on a group
of Sri Lankan pilgrims in Chennai, in the south Indian state
Tamil Nadu, and said it "strongly disapproves" of this kind of
behaviour towards those visiting the country, especially
religious pilgrims.
"The Ministry's attention had been drawn to an incident
in Chennai on August 3, in which Sri Lankan pilgrims staying
at a guest house in the city had been targeted and also
subjected to some physical and verbal abuse by a local group.
"The Ministry considers this to be an unfortunate
incident and regrets the inconvenience caused to the visitors
from Sri Lanka. It also strongly disapproves of this kind of
behaviour towards those visiting the country, especially
religious pilgrims," the ministry said in a release.
It said India has always made its guests feel welcome and
such incidents do not go with our highest traditions of
treating guests with respect and dignity.
The Ministry also noted that following investigations,
three people have been arrested for their involvement in the
incident.