Two Class 10 girls attacked with power saw inside Andhra Pradesh school, one critical

The victim, identified as Mudaga Gopika, suffered severe injuries and heavy blood loss after the assailant attacked her indiscriminately with a tree-cutting saw around 10:30 am. 

The attacker was reportedly her close relative. The incident sent shockwaves through the school, with 31 students present in the classroom at the time.

According to teachers, students and police, the assailant suddenly entered the Class X ‘A’ section carrying a saw and went straight towards Gopika before attacking her. 

The girl collapsed in a pool of blood, while another student, Sake Lakshmi, sustained an injury to her leg.

Panicked by the sudden attack, students rushed out of the classroom screaming. The mathematics teacher, who was conducting the class, was reportedly left in shock and unable to react immediately. 

The entire incident lasted barely two to three minutes, and the attacker escaped before anyone could understand what had happened.

Teachers from neighbouring classrooms rushed to the spot and shifted both injured girls to the Government General Hospital in Anantapur for treatment.

Police teams reached the school soon after receiving information and launched an investigation. 

Clues teams and a dog squad were pressed into service to collect evidence from the scene. Special teams have also been formed to trace the accused.

New saw purchased for attack

Police have identified the accused as M. Hemanth and suspect that he purchased a new saw specifically to carry out the attack. A protective cover used for the saw was reportedly found on the school premises.

Villagers of Nagaluru said Hemanth might have learnt to operate the saw by watching his father, Rajappa, who used it for cutting trees. 

Hemanth had reportedly been working as a daily-wage labourer at a tomato market in Anantapur Rural for the past few days.

Investigators are examining whether the accused planned the attack in advance and conducted reconnaissance of the school premises before executing it.

Hemanth had three elder sisters. One of them, Bhavitha, was married to T.Vijay Kumar of Ayyavaripalli village in Raptadu mandal. Gopika is the daughter of Parvathi, Vijay Kumar’s sister. Thus, Hemanth and Gopika were closely related.

Villagers and relatives said Hemanth had been moving from place to place after the death of his mother Nagamani during the first wave of the Covid pandemic and his father Rajappa about three years ago. 

They expressed shock over his alleged attack on a girl from his own family and said they were unaware of any reason behind the assault. ‘Still unable to come out of the shock’

Rajarajeswari, a mathematics teacher at the school, said she was taking both the first-period mathematics class and the second-period Telugu class as the Telugu teacher had gone on election duty.

“At around 10.30 am, a young man suddenly entered the classroom carrying a large object. He went straight to Gopika and attacked her with it. I was completely shocked and could not understand what was happening. 

All the children ran out of the classroom in panic. The attacker left immediately after the assault. Even now, recollecting the incident sends shivers down my spine,” she said emotionally.

Raptadu Circle Inspector C. Venkatesulu said police had registered cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and for attempt to murder against Hemanth based on a complaint lodged by the injured student, Sake Lakshmi.

“Special police teams have been formed and efforts to trace the accused have been intensified,” he said.

Meanwhile, hospital superintendent Malliswari said the victim was being shifted to Bengaluru for advanced treatment on the directions of Minister Y.Satyakumar Yadav. 

An anaesthetist and two other doctors were accompanying her during the transfer. She said the girl had suffered considerable blood loss and required specialised medical care.

Chandrababu expresses anguish over attack on Class X girl.   Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed deep anguish over the brutal attack on a Class X girl student with a saw inside a classroom at the Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district.

Expressing shock over the incident, the Chief Minister spoke to officials about the girl’s health condition and the medical treatment being provided to her. 

He directed the police authorities to apprehend the accused immediately and ensure that he was dealt with strictly in accordance with the law.

Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh also expressed deep anguish over the incident, saying he was unable to control his tears after seeing the injured girl lying in a pool of blood in the classroom.

“Seeing the little girl lying in a pool of blood in the classroom has left my heart heavy. The brutal incident at Raptadu has deeply shocked me. We will deal firmly with those who indulge in such acts and ensure that women and girls feel safe. Anyone, irrespective of their position, who neglects the safety of children will face action,” Lokesh said.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Y.Satyakumar Yadav expressed concern over the girl’s condition and directed medical authorities to ensure the best possible treatment.

Describing the attack inside the classroom as extremely disturbing, he instructed doctors to closely monitor the girl’s health and ensure that there were no shortcomings in her treatment. 

He also asked officials to utilise all available medical facilities to help her recover at the earliest.

Strict action against accused. The Health Minister directed the police to arrest the accused without delay and ensure stringent action against him under the law.