Goa: African nationals block highway after alleged drug related murder
Over 200 African nationals blocked the NH 17 at Porvorim, five km from capital city Panjim, for nearly an hour on Thursday.
Porvorim: Over 200 African nationals blocked the NH 17 at Porvorim, five km from capital city Panjim, for nearly an hour on Thursday. They were trying to take away the body of a Nigerian, found murdered earlier on Thursday, from an ambulance carrying it.
The incident took place after the body of a Nigerian national, yet unidentified by the police, was found in Parra, a village adjoining the beach village of Calangute, which is notorious for being Goa's narco-tourism industry's capital.
"The body was being taken to the Goa Medical College morgue in an ambulance when a mob of Africans stopped it and pulled the corpse out at Porvorim," a police official said.
The official said that two companies of police personnel were rushed to the spot, after the number of African nationals swelled to nearly 200.
"They had blocked the highway and small skirmishes with local residents had started," the official said.
Some from the mob have been detained but the nationalities of those present is unclear, police said.
Officials also said that the National Highway No.17 was later cleared and that the law and order situation was under control.
The body was found near the residence of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Michael Lobo, who said his constituency was a victim of a drug war and that the murder was linked to narcotics trade.
"I have been saying this over and over again. Goa is in the grip of a drug mafia. This murder is a narcotics murder. The police are very lax," Lobo said.
A legislative committee report tabled in the state assembly earlier this month clearly pointed out to a police-politician-drug mafia nexus operating in Goa. It names several politicians as well as police officials who are alleged to have links with the narcotics mafia.
IANS
Subscribe to Moneycontrol Pro at ₹499 for the first year. Use code PRO499. Limited period offer. *T&C apply
also read
ISL 2020-21: Bengaluru play do-or-die contest against Goa as race for playoffs gets intense
Bengaluru interim coach Naushad Moosa insisted that his side aren't putting much pressure on themselves as they prepare to take on FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday.
ISL 2020-21: FC Goa aim to stop run of draws, strengthen playoff chances with a win over Odisha FC
When the ISL season was halfway through, few would have looked past FC Goa while predicting the possible semi-finalists. However, six draws later, they are just about hanging on.
ISL 2020-21: AIFF hands Mumbai City FC's Hugo Boumous additional two-match ban; Edu Bedia cleared of biting charges
Boumous will miss Mumbai City FC's remaining games in the league phase. He will be eligible for selection again in the playoffs. The club has already secured a play-offs berth.

