Nigerians during their protest over the alleged murder of a fellow national
Nigerians have disappeared from the streets of Goa's Parra village, an area dominated by them, a day after 53 nationals from the African country were detained for unruly protest.
After the protest, which saw them blocking Mapusa-Panaji Highway following the murder of a fellow countryman, Goa authorities have decided to crack down on Nigerians staying without proper documents. The murder has been linked to drug trade rivalry.
Locals said Nigerians had become a nuisance. "They sleep during the day and after the sunset take to the streets riding bikes recklessly. They venture out in groups disobeying traffic rules. They rule the street entire night," Delilah Lobo, woman Sarpanch of Parra, told PTI today.
The village is home to almost 30 per cent of the Nigerians living in the tourist state. Panchayat records show that nearly 30 houses have been rented out to them.
"They pay advance rent for six months and usually disappear after midnight," she said.
The Nigerians usually travel in groups and no one knows their source of income, said Lobo, whose husband is the local MLA and President of North Goa BJP.
After yesterday's incident, no Nigerians were seen zooming past on their two-wheelers. The police action saw several Nigerians running helter-skelter through paddy fields.
"They will return once the situation calms down," said a coconut vendor in Parra market.
A bar and restaurant, run by a local in partnership with a Nigerian, had become a centre of activity in the village for these foreigners.
More than 100 Nigerians were regularly seen at the restaurant, dining and drinking the entire night amidst loud music, Lobo said, adding "there was no police action.
Ani Kester Ible, the Nigerian who runs this property along with a local woman, Santa Catarina D'Souza, said the restaurant was famous for serving African dishes.
After the incident, the restaurant has become a bone of contention with local Panchayat issuing a show-cause notice to the eatery.
"I don't know who all are involved in drug trade. We just serve food. It is for the police to crack down on the drug trades" said Ible.