ARAMBOL: Girkarwado is a tiny ward in Arambol, that hasn’t been heard of much, except in the last few days. It came into focus, after a Nigerian was murdered by a fellow countryman here last Saturday.
Over the last couple of years Girkarwado has attracted foreign tourists, and is today facing a serious threat with the influx of Nigerians and some illicit activities. The recent murder has only added to the anxiety among residents.
Women involved in traditional activities, including farming and fishing, are scared to move in their own village due to presence of Nigerians around the clock in the area and their aggressive nature.
“They not only create a nuisance in village but also harass other foreign nationals residing in the village and also the village women and females employed in the tourism sector,” said a local Sushant Naik. A common grouse is that Nigerians in the village neither contribute economically nor allow other tourists and villagers to live peacefully, most of the villagers state.
Girkarwado is situated 500 meters from the main road and almost 200 meters before the beach. There is a stretch of sand dunes, about 200 metres in length between the village and the beach, which has two banyan trees. It is in this stretch that the Nigerians have found safety, and shade under the branches of the banyans.
It was here that a group of 15 to 20 Nigerians clashed last Saturday and where a Nigerian was stabbed to death by his countryman. As per locals, the murder took place due to drug rivalry.
“Prior to the murder there was a big fight between some Nigerians, but after a while another gang came and there was a big fight over drug money. Later we heard one Nigerian was stabbed and he died on the way to hospital,” a local lady informed Herald.
Another lady said that even the police are scared of the Nigerians. With the help of the villagers the police detained some Nigerians on the day of murder or else they did not have the guts to even talk to the aggressive Nigerians, she said.
“They (police) come, they see and go many time. We have been complaining of the nuisance, but no one has bothered to take any action. Neither the villagers nor the police,” she said.
According to local residents, the Nigerians gather under the banyan trees daily and openly sell drugs to foreigners. Locals said they sell drugs on the beach making the area a den for the season.
“The bushes and isolated places are used by foreigners or some villagers to pick up joints supplied by Nigerians. But no one bothers to check it out, not even the cops,” locals said.
Pernem Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar said the Nigerians do not reside in Girkarwado or Arambol but go there from nearby villages.
“It becomes very difficult even to catch them. They are very tough and rough. On many occasions we have detained them for suspicious activities. Now we are keeping a strict vigil over their activities in these particular areas,” he said.
