BENGALURU: Three African nationals were allegedly attacked by a gang of around 20 members in Byrati, near Hennur Road, northeast Bengaluru on Monday night. One of them sustained serious injuries while the other two managed to escape.

Though accusations have been made that the attack had racial undertones, police blamed it on problems the victims had with locals.

The incident came to light in a post by Maria John on Bangalore Police's Facebook page. The post said around 20 members, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, attacked an African student.

"African student was attacked by the beer bottle and cricket bat. His head and face got open and bleeding (sic). The African student running towards the Shema School in that area. Please help him," the post read.

Police said an African national, also named John, was visiting his sister who is studying in a city college and is residing in Byrati. He decided to host a dinner party as he was supposed to fly back soon. After the party, John, his sister and her friend were returning home, when they were confronted by the group, who allegedly attacked them.

John was allegedly chased and beaten up and sustained severe injuries, while his sister and her friend managed to escape and took shelter in a local church. Though John managed to reach home, the angry locals damaged the window panes of his house. John managed to file a police complaint only after a few hours, following which senior police officials reached the spot to take stock of the situation.

In his complaint, John alleged that the group not only attacked him but also took away his valuables, including mobile phone and wallet.

However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East) Vikas Kumar Vikas refuted any racial angle to the attack and said local residents had complained about the trio creating a ruckus late in the night. The police are investigating the case, he said.

Locals too have filed a complaint against the trio accusing them of creating a ruckus.