Team Herald
PANJIM: After Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar, it was the turn of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to spark off a fresh furore with his remark that people in general are angry with Nigerians because of their “different attitude”.
His statement came on Wednesday when the Centre is making efforts to control damage following the row over an attack on African nationals in New Delhi.
“We get people from all other countries, but in general the people of Goa are very much angry with their (Nigerian) behaviour, their way of life,” Parsekar told media persons on Wednesday morning.
“I feel they (Nigerians) have a different attitude,” he said. The Chief Minister was responding to a question on recent allegations of rape against a Nigerian national, who is currently in police custody.
Parsekar’s comment comes just two days after Parulekar alleged that Nigerian nationals intentionally commit crimes to prolong their stay in the country. “Nigerians get involved in petty crimes and stay back only to get further involved in drugs and other nefarious activities,” he had said, adding that is a problem not just in the State but across the country.
Responding to another question, the Chief Minister said the government is scouting for a place to house foreigners illegally staying in the State. “Not just Nigerians. We will keep all the foreigners staying illegally in the State in this detention facility and then deport them,” the chief minister said.
Following a major riot at Porvorim involving over 50 Nigerians in 2013, the BJP-led government had announced setting up a detention centre for foreigners staying illegally. The proposal is still in limbo.
