Anganwadi worker assaulted, caste slur alleged

JAJPUR: Tension ran high at Manpur village under Kuakhai police limits here on Wednesday after an anganwadi worker was attacked by a group of criminals.The worker, belonging to a lower caste, has been identified as Satyabhama Malik. She  sustained grievous injuries and admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.As per the FIR filed by the victim’s brother Ramesh Malik, Satyabhama was working as an aganwadi worker in Manpur centre. She was brutally attacked by a group of 10 anti-socials belonging to the same village while she was teaching students at the centre at around 8 am. Ramesh further alleged that on Saturday last, government officials had organised a meeting to select members of the food committee for the anganwadi centre. The 10 anti-socials, who were attending the meeting, staged a walkout when Satyabhama was selected as a member. “They had threatened her with dire consequences due to which she stayed away from work till Tuesday. When she joined today, they attacked her,” Ramesh alleged.   The profusely bleeding Satyabhama had to be rushed to a local hospital at Madhuban and later shifted to SCB Medical when her condition deteriorated. As the news spread, many lower caste leaders met the district administration authorities and demanded immediate action.  SP Deepak Kumar said the DSP had been asked to inquire into the matter and take appropriate action.