Sports fraternity speaks up for Pinki

Around 25 sportspersons held a protest meeting today at Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club demanding Pinki Pramanik’s release. “I know her (Pramanik) since 2001. She is such a fine athlete. One must remember that this is not the way to treat a woman who has done the country proud by winning international medals,” said former athlete and Asian Games gold medallist Jyotirmoyee Sikdar.

Swimmer Bula Chowdhury concurred. “It’s a shameful incident which should be protested. We as sportspersons feel humiliated as the police is harassing her just because someone has filed a complaint against her. And the administration is keeping quiet.”

Former footballer and Arjuna awardee Shanti Mullick said: “It’s surprising that the person who has complained against her (Pramanik) has not been questioned (by the police). The veracity of her motives has never been verified.”