Daijiworld Media Network

Panaji, Nov 8: Following the riot by almost 200 Nigerians on a major highway in the state last week and being called a 'cancer' by the art and culture minister, the rift seems to have escalated with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar accusing a Nigerian diplomat of sending offensive SMSes to a senior police officer. The rioters took to the streets in protest of the death of their fellow countryman - Obado Uzoma Simoen. They clashed with locals and police personnel alike.

The Goa government on Wednesday sent a report to the Ministry of External Affairs about the incident as per the Ministry's request following the concern and anguish voiced by the Nigerian diplomats over the death of Obado Uzoma Simoen in Mapusa in Goa. Legal action was taken against 53 who were involved in the blocking of the highway near Parvorim.

The arrested men are in legal custody and many do not have the requisite legal documents to reside in the country. The police have offered to drop charges against those who choose to be deported back to their country.

Art and Culture Minister for Goa Dayanand Mandrekar today apologised for calling the Nigerians a cancer that affected the tourism industry in the state. A Nigerian diplomat has been known to have sent offensive SMSes to the Superintendent of Police in Goa following the death and the subsequent riot saying that Indians would have to pay the price for their treatment of Nigerians in the state. CM Manohar Parrikar, while not happy about the nature of the SMSes, opined that the diplomat concerned must have been misinformed in some way.

One person has been arrested in connection with the death of Obado Uzoma Simoen and the police continue with their investigations to realise the truth behind the matter while the Indian Government has assured the Nigerian Government that all issues would be dealt with in a cooperative manner.