Goa to crackdown on foreigners staying illegally

All foreigners staying illegally in Goa, including those working in the hospitality industry, will be deported, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told a press conference Thursday.

The chief minister also announced a special week-long drive to identify foreigners staying in Goa illegally on expired or inadequate visas.

"Everyone who is staying here illegally will be deported without fail. These are my clear directions to the police," an agitated Parrikar said, after nearly 200 Nigerian nationals Thursday blocked National Highway-17 to protest the murder of a fellow countryman earlier Thursday.

"Anyone who operates a dance floor, discos, pubs or (any other) joints and gives support to foreigners illegally staying here without a visa will be acted against," Parrikar said, even as state police have been criticised for not acting quickly enough in bringing the law and order situation under control Thursday.

Parrikar also said that nearly 100 Nigerian nationals were illegally staying in north Goa.

Goa, a prime beach tourism destination, attracts over a half a million foreign tourists annually. Several hundred foreigners who are here on a tourist visa stay on, engaging in business, sometimes in partnership with local people. Such business activities are not allowed, under the Foreigners Act.