Anantapur: A Class 10 student of the Zilla Parishad High School at Raptadu in Anantapur district was left critically injured after a man attacked her with a saw inside her classroom, sending shockwaves across Andhra Pradesh. The girl sustained severe injuries to her face, head and back. Another student who tried to stop the assault was also hurt. Alerted by classmates and teachers, police reached the spot, registered a case and launched an investigation. The victim was first taken to a nearby hospital and is now undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital in Anantapur.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the incident and sought details of the treatment being provided to the girl. In a telephone conversation with her mother, he urged the family to stay strong and assured them of the government’s complete support. “Let us make every effort to save your daughter,” he told her, promising that the accused would be arrested swiftly and punished severely under the law. He also spoke to local MLA Paritala Sunitha about the student’s condition, directing that there be no shortcomings in her care, and instructed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the second injured student.
Reacting to the incident, Minister Nara Lokesh said he could not hold back his tears on seeing the young girl lying in a pool of blood in the classroom. He warned that such offenders would be crushed with an iron hand and that anyone who endangers the safety of children would face action, irrespective of their position. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said such inhuman acts have no place in society. After speaking to the Anantapur District Collector and obtaining details, he directed that both students be given better treatment and assured the victim’s family that the coalition government would stand by them in every way.
Meanwhile, police have reportedly taken the accused into custody. He was apprehended while allegedly fleeing towards Dharmavaram after the attack, and has been identified as a youth from Dharmavaram mandal. Local residents say he is a close relative of the girl, though police have not officially confirmed his identity or relationship to the victim.
A forensic team examined the classroom where the attack took place and seized the saw machine used in the assault. The incident has triggered fear and anxiety at the school, while police continue their investigation to establish the motive behind the attack.