A backpacker from Rajasthan, who makes videos of his trips for broadcast on YouTube, was allegedly assaulted while visiting Garo Hills.
According to West Garo Hills police, the incident occurred in May when a “drunkard” misbehaved with the man, who goes by ‘The Tall Trotter’ online.
“On receipt of information, police immediately responded and arrested the attacker,” police said on social media.
However, the backpacker declined to press charges and the perpetrator was let off with a warning.
Although he did not want to go through with the case, The Tall Trotter did upload a YouTube video where he described this as his “worst travelling experience of my life”. The video, uploaded today, has more than 80,000 views at the time of filing this report.
The video is “inciting certain residents towards causing violence” police said while appealing for calm.
Meanwhile, the A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement has taken note of the incident and condemned the assault on the backpacker.
It asked the authorities to take cognisance and “appropriate action” against the culprit in order to defend the honour of Meghalaya and the tourism industry. The pressure group also requested the YouTuber to file an FIR and edit the video “which could defame or tarnish the image of Garo Hills, Tura and the A’chik people”.
