Anantapur (Andhra Pradesh), November 2: A 21-year-old man accused of attacking two Class 10 girls with a chainsaw inside a government school in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district was shot and injured by police on Sunday after he allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to flee, officials said.
The incident took place on October 31 at a Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu village, where the accused, identified as Hemanth alias Dummu, allegedly entered a classroom during a lesson and attacked a 15-year-old student with a running chainsaw.
A second girl was injured while attempting to intervene and protect her classmate.
According to police sources, special teams tracking Hemanth received information that he was hiding in the Atmakur forest area. When personnel approached him to take him into custody, he allegedly attempted to escape carrying a knife and attacked the police team with stones.
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Police opened six rounds of fire, leaving the accused seriously injured. He was subsequently shifted to a government hospital in Anantapur for treatment, officials said.
Victim undergoes multiple surgeries in Bengaluru
The 15-year-old girl, identified in reports as Mudaga Gopika, suffered severe injuries to her face, neck, abdomen and limbs. Her right hand was nearly severed in the attack.
She was initially rushed to the Government General Hospital in Anantapur, where doctors administered emergency treatment and performed procedures to stabilise her condition before she was shifted to Bengaluru for specialised medical care.
A multidisciplinary team at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru performed a series of complex orthopaedic and plastic surgeries lasting around 12 hours to stabilise the teenager.
Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh, who visited the hospital, said the girl had been shifted to the intensive care unit and that the next 48 hours would be crucial for her recovery.
The state government has assured the family that all necessary medical assistance would be provided.
The second student, who sustained injuries while trying to save Gopika, was also taken for treatment.
Accused allegedly harassed girl in the name of love
Police said Hemanth, a resident of Sri Sathya Sai district, was the victim’s maternal uncle and had allegedly been harassing her in the name of love.
The victim’s family had alleged that the accused had been pursuing the teenager before the attack. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the nature of his alleged interactions with the girl.
The accused allegedly entered the school premises at around 10.30 am while a mathematics class was underway.
According to the teacher present in the classroom, the attacker suddenly entered carrying a machine that was already switched on. The sound initially caused confusion as construction-related work was reportedly being carried out on the school premises.
The teacher said the attack unfolded within moments, leaving students and staff in shock.
Police are examining CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts to establish how the accused gained access to the school despite the main gate reportedly being closed.
Government orders security review, counselling for students
The attack triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of children inside educational institutions.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu condemned the incident and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured student. He also assured the family that the government would extend all necessary support.
Minister Nara Lokesh said the government would work towards putting in place a stronger school-safety mechanism after consultations with relevant stakeholders.
He also said counselling arrangements had been made for students who witnessed the attack, with sessions planned over an extended period. Teachers and parents would also be included in the counselling process.
The incident has raised questions about access control and security arrangements at government schools, particularly the ability of outsiders to enter classrooms during teaching hours.
The police investigation is continuing, while the accused is being treated following the firing incident.
