Three US tourists out to ring in the New Year were injured when they were beaten up after they allegedly hugged and kissed women passers-by here, the police have said. They were reportedly drunk.They were injured after being assaulted by a crowd which also pelted them with stones on New Year's Eve. Two of them were later handed over to the police and taken to a hospital. The third tourist, however, escaped from the scene, the police said yesterday. The three tourists from California were reportedly in their late 40s.Hospital sources said that the two had suffered bruises and concussions and were under treatment.The trio, staying in a local hotel, was drunk and had come out to celebrate when they allegedly started hugging and kissing women who were walking on the road.Shocked by their conduct, the women raised an alarm. But the three Americans, also probably unaware of Indian culture and customs, carried on, angering the people who were present.A language problem meant that these people could not communicate with the Americans and this complicated the situation, the police said.

Some men then hit the three US nationals, described as well-built, with stones and boxed them when one of them managed to escape.Police said that no case had been registered till Sunday noon.