PALAKKAD: A youth has been arrested for trying to smother a 16-year-old girl at Mannarkkad. The Mannarkkad police arrested Jamsheer of Padinjaran Veetil. He was apprehended from a nearby rubber plantation.

The seriously injured girl is under treatment at a private hospital in Perinthalmanna. The incident happened Tuesday early morning at 3 am. The girl, her brother and grandma were at home at the time of the incident.

The youth, her neighbour, after stuffing cloth at her mouth tried to smother her using a towel. The youth kicked her grandma, who came to the room after hearing some noise, and then fled from the place. The reason for the attack is not known. The police have registered the statement of her relatives.