Eight-month pregnant tribal woman goes missing; drone search in forest area

WAYANAD: A pregnant tribal woman has gone missing in the forest in Attamala, Wayanad. The missing woman is Lakshmi (Shantha), the wife of Krishnan of Erattukundu Unnathi. The missing woman is 8 months pregnant. Below the Erattukundu area is the Nilambur forest. The forest department, police, and the Scheduled Tribes department are conducting searches focusing on this area. The police are also investigating whether the woman has gone to the banks of the nearby Chaliyar river or beyond.

Lakshmi belongs to one of the five tribal families living in the Erattukundu forest area. This area is about four kilometers from Chooralmala. People from this community regularly visit the forest to collect food and other resources. There was concern after Lakshmi, who had gone to the forest as usual in search of food, did not return even yesterday evening. The forest department and the police jointly launched an extensive search this morning after the authorities were informed.

Lakshmi was taken to Vythiri Hospital for examination in September. Special arrangements were made for her treatment. Lakshmi went missing after returning to Unnathi from the hospital.