Congress MP supports Goa govt’s action against overstaying foreigners

NEW DELHI: Despite the uproar over racial profiling of Nigerians in Goa, there seems to be a bipartisan consensus in the state with Congress MP Shantaram Naik also supporting action against all foreign nationals overstaying in the tourist destination.

Naik, a Rajya Sabha MP, condemned the action of Nigerian nationals who blocked a highway at Porvorim and roughed up police personnel although he said it was incorrect on part of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar to blame the external affairs ministry for a diplomatic slip up.

Parrikar had said that a Nigerian diplomat had come to Goa without any notice and had even threatened retaliation against Indians in Nigeria. The diplomat reportedly sent abusive text messages to a police officer in Goa.

Naik's strong condemnation of Nigerians who blocked the highway converges with the state government's criticism of foreign nationals who are staying in Goa without valid documents. It seems to reflect local sentiment against the "illegal" activities of foreigners involved in activities like drug trade.

In a statement, Naik said, "A Nigerian was reportedly killed brutally in a group clash at Parra, Bardez, earlier (October 31), in what is suspected to be over drug trade in the coastal belt of north Goa. Although Nigerians are permitted to enroll for education in India, their activities are dubious, illegal and dangerous to the peace loving state."

Naik condemned the behaviour of the Nigerian diplomat who reportedly threatened a police officer in Goa.