Headlines
Condition of three Kerala athletes improving
Alappuzha (Kerala), May 8
The condition of the
three Sports Authority of India (SAI) athletes from Kerala who
attempted suicide at water sports centre at Vembanad is improving, a
doctors looking after their treatment said.
The three
sportsgirls, who are being treated at the intensive care unit of the
Medical College here, had consumed a poisonous fruit on being
reprimanded for consuming an alcoholic drink.
"Today (Friday)
morning they spoke to us. Of the three, the condition of one girl,
Shilpa, was a bit serious, but she also spoke to us. Things are
improving," Suma told media.
Sports Authority of India Director
General Injeti Srinivas, who arrived here on Thursday night, told
reporters that a hot line has been established with an expert team of
medical professionals at AIIMS in New Delhi.
"After hearing the
treatment protocol...they (AIIMS officials) have expressed their
satisfaction. There will be regular contacts with the medical team that
has been formed at AIIMS," said Srinivas.
Four girl athletes
after being admonished by the sports centre officials on Wednesday
evening for drinking beer ate a poisonous fruit. One of them, Aparna,
died on early Thursday and the other three were under medical treatment
since Wednesday night.
On Friday, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh
Chennithala visited the three athletes at the hospital and also went to
the home of Aparna.
"I have asked for the inclusion of a lady IPS
official in the police probe team. All aspects will be probed into,"
said Chennithala.
Geetha, mother of Aparna, has given him a
written complaint that two senior girl students and a coach are
responsible for her daughter's suicide.
"In another eight months,
my daughter would have completed her training and got a job. She was
always concerned about me and had promised me that with her job she will
take care of me," said Geetha.
Police have recovered a note the
four athletes wrote. It does not have mention their being ragged or
harassed by seniors, but it does say that for a small mistake committed
by them, they were being taken to task.
The family members of the
athletes, however, have been stating that their daughters were under
severe pressure from their seniors and officials.