Alapuzha (Kerala): A 15-year-old sportsperson died early on Thursday and three others, all undergoing training at Water Sports Centre of Sports Authority of India (SAI) here have been hospitalised, after they ate a poisonous fruit in an apparent suicide pact following alleged harassment by seniors.
The girls are suspected to have eaten the fruit, locally called ‘Othalanga’, around 3 pm yesterday inside the SAI women’s hostel. They were rushed to a hospital around 7 pm after they fainted and were later taken to the Alapuzha Medical College, where one of them died, the police said.
The girls were undergoing training at the Water Sports Centre of the SAI at nearby Punnamada.
Relatives of the athletes alleged the girls were being physically and mentally tortured by seniors.
However, the hostel warden denied the charges and said they came to know about the girls’ condition only after they fainted. “None in the hostel tortured them,” she said.
Angry relatives of the girl who died have demanded immediate inquiry and have also threatened to block the national highway and not perform her last rites.
Alapuzha District Collector N Padmakumar, who visited the athletes undergoing treatment at the medical college hospital, said a detailed enquiry would be conducted into the incident.
A relative of Aparna, who died early on Wednesday, alleged that the inmates of the SAI hostel were being physically tortured.
“The girl was hit by her coach two days ago with an oar due to which she could not sit or stand”, he alleged.
Meanwhile, protesting against the incident, activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of (CPI(M), took out a march.
‘This is the most tragic and shocking incident’:
Injeti Srinivas, Director General of SAI, said, “This is the most tragic and shocking incident in 3 decade long existence of SAI. What happened is that 4 of our girl trainees attempted suicide, info came to me yesterday (Wednesday) midnight.”
He added, “We’ve (SAI) been following up with State authorities & SAI officials, priority is to save their lives. We have tried to ensure that they are getting best medical attention.”
“Police investigating matter, sub divisional magistrate has taken deposition of one girl who is able to speak. Suicide note was left which was jointly signed, all this will have to be investigated,” he concluded.
‘Young girl who died was a promising sportsperson’:
Meanwhile, Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that strictest possible action against anyone found guilty in SAI athletes attempted suicide. ‘Deeply aggrieved by incident’ Sonowal added, “Young girl who died was a promising sportsperson.”
Sports Minister directed DG SAI to rush to spot and give me a factual report.
