About nine foreign prisoners under trial for various offences were allegedly attacked by jail guards at Colvale Correctional Home in October when the incumbents were being transferred from Sada jail.
The brutal attack led to a Nigerian national’s hands and feet being stamped on and head shaven, while another Israeli prisoner reportedly lost vision in one eye. The matter came to light when the prisoners were produced before the NDPS Court for trial.
On being questioned by the judge on any ill-treatment meted out to them in the jail, Nigerian national Victor Ubanoze disclosed that not only he, but five others were victims were treated in an inhuman manner at the recently commissioned Colvale jail. The judge immediately ordered the victims to be taken for medical checkups and bruise marks were found on their body. Advocate Raju Poulekar, representing the under trials moved the NDPS Court seeking justice and action against the attackers.
“Such inhuman treatment was not expected here. Be it any nationality, all prisoners have their fundamental rights. When the authorities term this jail as a reformatory centre, how can such brutality happen?” he said speaking to Herald. The undertrials were amongst 73 who were transferred from Sada sub-jail to Colvale, after the latter’s commissioning in May. The prisoners have also spoken of the ill-equipped premises that lack proper water and sanitation facilities. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar ordered an inquiry by South Goa Collector Sachin Shinde, who has submitted the report. However, till date, neither jail guards have been punished nor have they been reinstated. The guards say they started the assault only after orders from the seniors. The report was submitted but still no decision in Colvale assault case has been taken.
