Anganwadi worker’s body found in Gavi forest, one arrested

Kottayam: The body of an Anganwadi worker was discovered in the Gavi forest area of Pathanamthitta district on Thursday morning, leading to the arrest of a tribal youth in connection with the case. The victim, originally from Tamil Nadu, had been living near Gavi and was reportedly on her way to work when the tragic incident occurred.

According to police, the woman left her home around 8:30 AM to walk to the Anganwadi center, which is located about 3 kilometers away and requires passing through dense forest. When she failed to reach her destination, locals and forest guards initiated a search and eventually found her body in a stream. While there were no signs of an animal attack, the circumstances of her death raised suspicions, prompting the community to alert authorities.

Police have taken Vinod Kumar, a tribal youth from Moozhiyar, into custody. Investigators believe Kumar had been stalking the victim for several days and had built a makeshift hut in the forest to monitor her movements. It is alleged that he lay in wait along the Gavi-Meenar route and attacked her during her commute. Police suspect the woman was killed during an attempted sexual assault.

Forest guards later received information that Kumar had boarded a KSRTC bus from Gavi to Vandiperiyar in Idukki after the incident, leading to his apprehension. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting concerns over safety for women in remote areas. Authorities are continuing their investigation to gather more evidence and ensure justice for the victim.