Panaji, Nov 14 (IANS): The state police have sought footage from local news channels of last month's violence, where a Nigerian was brutally assaulted by a mob near Panaji.

A senior official told IANS that both the raw feed as well as the televised footage of the conflict Oct 31 between locals and Nigerians has been requisitioned. This is being done to identify the locals who thrashed the Nigerian, who was later admitted with serious head and body injuries.

Incidentally, members of the mob were also shouting slogans praising local independent MLA Rohan Khaunte, who is perceived in political circles here as someone close to the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP).

"We had already filed a first information report against unknown persons. The tapes will help us identify those who actually assaulted the Nigerian national," police said.

A notice has been issued to the local cable news channels to provide the footage to the Porvorim police station at the earliest.

Khaunte, however, said that without the help of the locals, who had converged on a highway, the Nigerians would have beaten up the police force posted there.

"The Nigerians had already snatched lathis from the police. We actually helped the police in controlling the situation," Khaunte said.

The opposition party warned the state government against booking cases against the locals, who the opposition legislator said had actually helped the police rein in the law and order after a mob of Nigerians blocked a highway protesting the murder of their compatriot.

"We will come out on the roads if locals are booked," Sardesai said. The Congress also opposed any move by the state government to book an FIR against locals for assaulting the Nigerian.

But Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is firm and said that the government would book those involved in the assault.

"They have broken law. It cannot be allowed," the chief minister said.