Goa jail inmates burn Ravan effigy with firecrackers, four officials suspended

Four officials of the Central Jail in Goa, including an assistant jail superintendent, were suspended after purported videos surfaced on social media of jail inmates burning an effigy of Ravana on jail premises as part of Dussehra festivities.

Sources said the Prisons Department has sought an explanation from the Superintendent of Central Jail at Colvale for the “serious security lapse” and allowing explosive substances to be taken into jail premises.

Four officials have been placed under suspension for alleged dereliction of duty and a departmental enquiry has been initiated against the jail staff.

A senior official said the incident is suspected to have taken place on the day of Dussehra. “It is a serious lapse. Prima facie, it appears that the jail staffers acted in connivance with some inmates. Inflammable material including explosives and banned substances were allowed inside jail. A huge effigy, around 20 feet high, was built by the inmates and then set alight…not even a match-stick should have made it onto the jail premises,” the official said.