Nigerians clash with cops over death of fellow man; 50 held

Over 200 African nationals blocked the NH 17 at Porvorim, five km from Panjim capital city, for nearly an hour Thursday. They were trying to take away the body of a Nigerian, found murdered earlier Thursday, from an ambulance carrying it. AP Photo. For Representation Only.

Around 50 Nigerians were today arrested after they allegedly clashed with police near here and blocked a road to protest the death of their fellow national.

Around 200 Nigerians blocked the Mapusa-Panaji Highway running through Porvorim village this afternoon after ransacking the police hearse van that was carrying the body of a Nigerian, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds at Parra village in Mapusa near here late last night, police said.

The group forcefully took out the body from the hearse van that was on its way to Goa Medical College and Hospital for postmortem.

They refused to budge and clashed with the policemen who arrived there to clear the blockade.

Police had to resort to cane charge to clear the road for vehicular traffic.

Around 50 protesting Nigerians were arrested and taken to nearby Mapusa police station, police said.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who rushed to the site of protest, told reporters that the state government will not tolerate such a behaviour from Nigerians.

"We will initiate the drive to check how many Nigerians are living here without proper documents," he said, adding that such protests will not be entertained.