TEAM HERAD
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PANJIM: In a mop up operation, the PWD has begun cleaning the kitchen of Aguada jail subsequent to the shocking incident of suspected food poisoning last week that resulted in the death of a convict and several others were taken ill. The exercise which will last over a few weeks will involve cleaning water tanks, drinking water and sewerage pipelines.
Officials said that the sanitization of the unhygienic kitchen will go on for a few weeks and until then, the food cooked in Sada sub jail mess will be transported to Aguada for the prisoners over a distance of about 50 kms.
A team of PWD officials inspected the Aguada jail premises and listed out some urgent renovation and cleaning works. “The kitchen and water tanks are being cleaned by the PWD. The drinking water pipes and sewerage pipes will be changed,” Inspector General of Prisons Mihir Vardhan told Herald.
Murder convict Mahadev Gaonkar died last Friday and several of the around 139 inmates of Aguada jail and Mapusa sub-jail became ill after consuming the dinner cooked by inmates on Thursday night. Around 37 jail inmates were admitted to medical facilities the next day among whom 19 have been discharged while the rest are under observation.
A magisterial inquiry headed by Additional District Collector Dipak Desai has simultaneously begun, whose mandate includes to probe suspected foul play if any.
Vardhan said the inquiry will look into all aspects of the case. “He (Desai) will personally inspect the jails, talk to prisoners, jail officials, doctors and everyone related to the case. We will go by the inquiry report,” he said refusing to divulge details.
Prior to the incident, the food cooked by the inmates at Aguada was served to the prisoners and some of it transported to Mapusa sub jail for the under trials. The food at Mapusa lock up is being supplied by a state government contractor. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) is examining the food and water samples, though they could not get samples of the dinner.
Meanwhile, it is learnt through jail sources that food poisoning was a deliberate attempt by a group of prisoners who want to settle scores with other gang in the same jail. It was also told that Gaonkar’s illness was ignored by the jail officials for more than a day, resulting in his death.
The scuffle between four prisoners in the Aguada jail, last month is linked to the food poisoning case.
