Four SAI female athletes attempt suicide over alleged harassment, Ministry launches inquiry

New Delhi AlapuzhaIn a horrific incident four young female athletes attempted suicide at the Sports Authority of India centre in Kerala prompting a rattled Sports Ministry to launch an inquiry and promise the strictest possible action against any SAI official found guiltyOne of the athletes a 15yearold died early and three others all undergoing training at Water Sports Centre of SAI in Alapuzha were hospitalised after they ate a poisonous fruit in an apparent suicide pact following alleged harassment by seniorsThe Sports Ministry swung into action by ordering an inquiry and directing SAI Director General Injeti Srinivas to rush to Kerala for an on the spot assessment I am deeply aggrieved by the incident that has happened in Kerala The young girl who has died was a very promising sportsperson It is a big loss to the country in general and Sports Authority of India and 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 statementThree girls are still undergoing treatment I pray for their speedy recovery To provide them the best possible treatment is our top priority Local police is investigating the matter I have also directed the Director General of SAI to rush to the spot and give me a factual report I have specifically directed him to ensure that the best possible treatment is made available to the three girls who are undergoing treatmentWhile law will take its own course at this stage I would only like to say that if anyone from Sports Authority of India is found guilty in connection with this tragic incident strictest possible action will be taken against him or her he addedThe girls are suspected to have consumed the fruit locally called Othalanga at 3pm yesterday inside the SAI womens hostel They were rushed to a hospital around 7pm after they fainted and were later taken to Alapuzha Medical College where one of them died the police saidThe girls were undergoing training at the Water Sports Centre of the SAI at nearby Punnamada Relatives of the athletes alleged that the girls were being physically and mentally tortured by some seniors However the hostel warden denied the charges and said they came to know about the condition of the girls only when they fainted None in the hostel tortured them she said Police have registered a case of unnatural deathMeanwhile Srinivas said survivors are being provided with the best possible medical care I convey my condolences to the bereaved families At this juncture our priority is to save lives What prompted these young girls to do this will be investigated Unfortunately there is no antidote to the poison they have consumed but best possible medical care is being provided to them Srinivas told reporters in DelhiIt is difficult to say what is their current medical condition but it is an emergency we are dealing with SAI is a very responsible body but when an incident like this happens it is a matter of concern he addedOn behalf of the Sports Minister I can assure that if anything is found wanting or if anybody is at fault the strictest of action will be taken he asserted 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 incidentA relative of Aparna who died early today 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 allegedMeanwhile protesting against the incident activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India DYFI the youth wing of CPIM took out a marchMeanwhile Kerala sports minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the state Sports secretary will probe the incident The government also announced financial help to the family of the deceased and said expenses of those undergoing treatment would be met by the government Relatives of the athletes also alleged that some antisocial elements were also seen near the hostel