As Sushma assures safety to African nationals, CM Laxmikant Parsekar says Goans annoyed with Nigerians

Panaji: As the central government is ratcheting up efforts to contain the damage over attacks on African nationals, Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar's comments that Goans are "annoyed" with the behaviour, attitude and way of life of Nigerians have sparked an outrage.

Speaking to IANS last month, Parsekar had said that he was getting complaints against Nigerians on many occasions from locals.

"The Goans in general are complaining about these foreigners. We get people from all other countries, but in general the people of Goa are very much annoyed with their (Nigerians') behaviour, with their attitude, with their way of life," Parsekar said.

Amid a string of attacks on Africans in Delhi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday announced a slew of steps including a country-wide sensitisation campaign even as she asserted that the killing of a Congolese youth was not a "racial crime".

Besides, Parsekar, Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar on May 30 demanded a strict law to deport Nigerians, claiming that they come in conflict with Indian law so as to extend their stay and indulge in drugs and other crimes.

A series of attacks on Africans, including murder of a Congolese man in the national capital, has evoked a sharp reaction from African envoys, prompting the central government to step in and launch efforts to ensure safety and security of Africans. Recently, a Nigerian student was allegedly assaulted by a local over parking of car in Hyderabad.