A horrifying incident at a government school in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district has raised serious questions about the safety of students and security arrangements inside educational institutions. A 21-year-old man allegedly entered a classroom carrying a mechanised chainsaw and brutally attacked a Class 10 student, leaving her with life-threatening injuries. Another girl was injured when she attempted to intervene and save her friend and classmate.
The incident took place at the Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu, Anantapur district. The accused has been identified as Hemanth alias Dummu, reportedly from Nagalur village in Dharmavaram mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district. He is also said to be a distant relative of the victim.
According to preliminary reports, the alleged 21-year-old attacker entered the school carrying a wood-cutting machine and went into the classroom while lessons were underway. He allegedly attacked the 15-year-old girl with the chainsaw, inflicting deep injuries to her face, neck and abdomen. Her right hand was reportedly almost severed in the assault.
Another student who attempted to protect her friend was also injured during the attack.
Following the assault, the accused allegedly abandoned the machine and fled the school. Teachers and other staff alerted the police and arranged for the injured girls to be taken to hospital. Both were rushed for emergency treatment, with the main victim requiring critical medical attention and surgery.
Police subsequently arrested the accused at Dharmavaram railway station.
Videos have been going viral on social media as children from the high school cry and are traumatized by the events unfolding in their school.
Imagine being slaughtered like an animal in broad daylight in front of other students 🙏🏻 This is the situation in Bihar...sorry it's yet again Andhra Pradesh PS: Okkate maata adugutha ra @IamSaiDharamTej ni vontlo unadi blood ae na lekapotey evadidi aina ucha na. https://t.co/ZC8zjV9Hi4
— Radoo (@Ungamma_ra) October 31, 2026
Was the attack motivated by rejected advances?
Preliminary reports suggest that the victim knew the accused and that he was a distant relative. There are allegations that she had rejected his advances and warned him that she would inform her parents if he continued approaching her.
The police, however, are still investigating the motive and the circumstances leading to the attack.
How did a man enter a school carrying a chainsaw?
The incident raises serious questions about security at government schools. How could an outsider enter the school premises carrying such a dangerous machine and reach a classroom?
Government schools, particularly those with inadequate boundary walls and security infrastructure, can face additional challenges in controlling access. However, the exact security lapses in this case must be established through the investigation.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu reacts
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and anger over the incident and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured student.
In a post on X, he wrote, "I am deeply shaken and enraged by the barbaric attack on a Class 10 student inside her classroom at Raptadu ZP High School. Attackers who target our young girls inside schools have no place in our society."
He added that he was personally monitoring her recovery and had directed the medical team to provide the highest priority care. He also ordered the police to ensure swift action and the harshest legal punishment.
The incident has once again exposed the vulnerability of children inside institutions that are supposed to provide a safe learning environment. Beyond the brutality of the attack, the circumstances that allowed an armed outsider to reach a classroom must be investigated, and accountability must extend to any negligence established in the school's security arrangements.
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