New Delhi/Alapuzha, May 7: In a heartbreaking turn of events, a young athlete died and three of her colleagues were battling for life after they attempted suicide at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Alappuzha, Kerala, prompting a stunned Union sports ministry to launch an inquiry.
The four ate a poisonous fruit in an apparent suicide pact owing to alleged harassment by seniors. All the four belonged to the Water Sports Centre of SAI. After being hospitalised, one of the four did not respond to treatment and died early Thursday morning.
The sports ministry ordered an inquiry and directed SAI director general Injeti Srinivas to rush to Alappuzha for an on-the-spot assessment. “I am deeply aggrieved by the incident. The young girl who died was a promising sportsperson. This is a big loss to the country in general and SAI and the sports fraternity in particular. I convey my condolences to the bereaved family. We will give all possible help to the bereaved family,” sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal said in a statement in New Delhi.
“Three girls are undergoing treatment. I pray for their speedy recovery. Local police are investigating the matter. If anyone from SAI is found guilty in connection with this tragic incident, strictest possible action will be taken against him or her,” the minister added.
The girls are suspected to have consumed the fruit, locally called Othalanga. PTI