PANAJI
Two African nationals, one of whom is charged with smuggling drugs by concealing the consignment in her sandals, are booked for assaulting a woman staff in Colvale Central Jail on Friday.
Jayashree Vengurlekar, matron posted in the female block, has accused the Nigerian and Ghana nationals of attacking her with a stick and punches. Both accused are in judicial custody for separate drug offenses registered against them. The victim alleged that the women inmates were upset after she asked them to go back to their Cell in the female block around 10 am. They pushed her, punched her repeatedly and beat her with a stick, as per the complaint filed by the 53-year-old at Colvale police station.
The Nigerian national, identified as Janet (Damilola Janet Odula) was arrested by the Crime Branch sleuths in August for attempting to smuggle MDMA valued at Rs 15.10 lakh to Goa via train by concealing the consignment in her sandals. The Ghana national is identified as Prishala.
The Colvale police have registered an offense under sections 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) read with 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code; and will move the judicial magistrate first class at Mapusa to seek a warrant for their custodial interrogation.
This is the second attack on the woman matron. The Central Jail has been time and again in negative limelight for various illegal activities, assault between inmates as well as inmates and jail officials, etc.
