National level sports player dies in suspicious circumstances

Kotdwara (Ukd): A 19-year-old girl, a national level football player, died in suspicious circumstances, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place on Tuesday evening when Monika, a resident of Umrao Nagar Colony here, started vomiting after consuming her meal, following which she was taken to a hospital by her family members where she was declared dead, said Manoj Kumar Sirola, police chowki in-charge.

According to information received by family members, she prepared her meal herself and started vomiting and fell unconscious soon after she consumed it. She was rushed to the hospital where she was declared dead, Sirola said, adding, the body was cremated yesterday.

Monika, who had participated in football at national level seven times, was preparing for forthcoming football selection at provincial level. She also represented the state three times in boxing and won silver medal twice and a bronze once.

According to station In-charge Pramod Shah, police investigated the matter on the basis of rumours that the player might have committed suicide and took statements of the family members including her mother.

However, there is no evidence to prove that she committed suicide, police said.