Health worker, assistant allegedly axed to death in Madhya Pradesh

Mangalore Today News Network

Shivpuri, Sep 21, 2016:  Two women - an anganwadi worker (primary health worker) and her assistant - were allegedly hacked to death by a man at Airawani village in Madhya Pradesh yesterday, police said.

The victims - Bhagwati Lodhi (40) and her assistant Deva Pal (35) - were on their way to the anganwadi centre from Bheempur Purva village for distributing midday meal to children, when the incident took place.

The accused, identified as Sahab Singh Thakur, attacked them with an axe when they were walking alongside a pond, Pichore sub-divisional officer of police SKS Tomar said.

"The accused was hiding in the bushes and when the women arrived there, he first assaulted Bhagwati on her head with an axe, in which she was killed on the spot. When her assistant cried for help, he hit her as well, following which she also succumbed to her injuries," the official said.

The accused had a dispute with Ms Bhagwati over the issue of payment as he claimed that he got her into anganwadi job.

He had been demanding half of her salary every month, which she followed for sometime.

However, she later stopped giving money to him, Mr Tomar said on the basis of a statement given by Ms Bhagwati’s husband Jashrath.

A case of murder has been registered against Thakur, who is absconding and further investigation is on, he said.