Man attacks two schoolgirls with chainsaw in Anantapur classroom
A 21-year-old man was arrested after attacking two Class 10 students with an electric tree-cutting chainsaw at a school in Raptadu.
A 21-year-old man, identified as Hemanth alias Dummu, attacked two Class 10 girls with an electric tree-cutting chainsaw at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district, on Saturday morning. One student is in critical condition following the attack inside a classroom during a mathematics lesson.
The accused was later arrested by police at Dharmavaram railway station. Police sources stated that Hemanth is from Nagalur in Dharmavaram mandal and is reportedly a distant relative of one of the victims.
School principal K Rajeshwari said staff and security allowed the man into the premises because construction work was in progress, leading them to assume he was a worker. The attack occurred after the second period began while a teacher was conducting a lesson.
One girl sustained injuries to her face, head, and body, and is undergoing surgery at Anantapur Government General Hospital. A second student suffered injuries to her arms and legs while attempting to intervene.
Anantapur Rural Sub-Divisional Police Officer K Ashwin Manideep said a case has been registered and police are investigating the motive. Preliminary investigations are examining allegations of harassment and a rejected love proposal.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the attack and directed medical teams to provide the critically injured girl with the highest priority care. He spoke to the girl's mother and local MLA Paritala Sunitha regarding the situation.