Andhra school horror: Man attacks Class 10 girl with chainsaw, cuts her throat

The injured girl was rushed to Anantapur Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock, saying he was personally monitoring the girl's recovery.

In Short

• Chandrababu Naidu speaks to the girl's mother and assures government support
• He has also tweeted expressing shock over the incident
• The survivor is presently undergoing treatment

A Class 10 student was critically injured after a man attacked her with a chainsaw inside her classroom at Zilla Parishad High School in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district.

According to sources, the attacker entered the school premises during school hours, walked into the girl's classroom and assaulted her with a chainsaw. The student sustained severe injuries to her face, head and neck and was left bleeding profusely.

The incident triggered panic among students and school staff. The injured girl was rushed to Anantapur Hospital, where she is currently undergoing treatment. There are speculations that she may be shifted to Bengaluru for better medical care. However, India Today has not independently verified this information at the time of publication.

Another student was also injured after getting caught in the middle of the attack. No deaths have been reported.

Police launched an investigation into the incident and arrested the accused a few hours after the attack.

CHANDRABABU NAIDU SPEAKS TO SURVIVOR'S MOTHER

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the attack and said he was personally monitoring the girl's recovery. He spoke to officials to take stock of her condition and the treatment being provided to her. He also directed the medical team to accord her the highest priority and ensure the best possible care.

Naidu later spoke to the girl's mother over the phone, offering her words of comfort and assuring her that the government would extend all possible support to the family. He urged her to remain strong and said every effort would be made to save the student's life. He also assured her that the accused would be caught and severely punished.

The Chief Minister spoke to local MLA Paritala Sunitha about the medical assistance being provided to the girl. He also enquired about the condition of the second student injured in the attack and directed officials to ensure that both students received proper treatment.

CM NAIDU, PAWAN KALYAN, NARA LOKESH CONDEMN ATTACK

In a post on X, CM Naidu said he was "deeply shaken and enraged" by the attack on the schoolgirl. He said those who target young girls inside schools have no place in society and added that he was personally tracking her recovery.

"I am personally tracking her recovery and have directed the medical team to give her the highest priority care. I have ordered the police to hunt down the monster responsible and deliver the harshest legal punishment swiftly," he wrote.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also expressed deep concern over the attack. He spoke to the Anantapur District Collector to seek details of the incident and enquired about the injured girl's condition. He directed the police to arrest the accused immediately and ensure strict punishment under the law.

Kalyan also called for the best possible medical assistance for the girl and better treatment for the second injured student. He assured the victim's family that the coalition government would extend all possible support. Condemning the attack inside a classroom, he said there was no place in society for such inhuman acts.

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh also expressed anguish over the attack, describing it as an inhuman act against a young girl in a place meant for learning and safety.

In his post on X, Lokesh said Naidu had directed the police to take swift and stringent action against the accused and ensure he was brought to justice.

"The safety and dignity of every girl and woman are paramount. Such acts of brutality will not be tolerated," he said.

OPPOSITION SLAMS NAIDU GOVERNMENT OVER THE INCIDENT

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) demanded the resignation of Nara Lokesh as Education Minister over the attack, holding the TDP-led coalition government accountable for the incident.

In its statement, the party said, "The brutal attack on a Class 10 student at a government school in Rapthadu exposes the TDP coalition government's failure to protect children."

It pointed out that another student was injured while trying to intervene and demanded proper medical care for both students and support for their families. The party also called for an immediate arrest of the accused and a fair investigation.

"The government must explain how this attack occurred inside a government school and review safety arrangements in schools across Andhra Pradesh. The incident demands political accountability. @naralokesh must resign as Education Minister," the YSRCP said.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president YS Sharmila also strongly criticised the state government over the attack and demanded immediate action against the accused.

"I am deeply shocked and horrified by the brutal chainsaw attack on a Class 10 student, inside a government school in Raptadu, Anantapur district. That a young girl could be subjected to such horrific violence inside a classroom, in front of her fellow students, is utterly heartbreaking," Sharmila said.

She also expressed concern over the safety of the second student who was injured while trying to save the victim.

"If our daughters are not safe even inside their classrooms, what assurance can this government offer to parents? Schools are meant to be places of learning, safety and hope; not spaces where innocent children are exposed to such brutal violence," she said.

Sharmila demanded the immediate arrest of the accused, the strictest possible legal action and the best possible medical treatment for both injured students. She also called for a comprehensive review of security measures in schools.

"Our daughters deserve justice. The culprit must face the harshest punishment under law. The safety of our daughters cannot be reduced to empty assurances and statements. The government must act, and act decisively!" she said.

ACCUSED ARRESTED

Police registered a case and launched an investigation following the attack. The police soon traced the attacker and arrested him within hours.

The investigation is presently underway. Further details are awaited.

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