PABITRA BANERJEE: A teacher at a government school in Andhra Pradesh has described the moments of confusion and panic when a 21-year-old man entered a Class 10 classroom carrying a running chainsaw and attacked two girls, leaving one critically injured and in need of emergency surgery. The incident took place around 10:30 AM on Saturday at the Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu village in Anantapur district, while lessons were underway and students were seated inside their classroom.The teacher, Rajeshwari, who was present when the attack unfolded, said staff initially struggled to understand what the man was carrying, partly because work was being carried out on the school premises and they assumed someone might have arrived to carry out a job. “Classes were ongoing. The first period was completed, and the classes were continuing. All the children were studying,” Rajeshwari recalled. “The classroom doors are generally kept open. Someone came through that door. Before we could realise what was happening, the incident with the boy took place.”She added that the suspect turned on the motor outside before entering the room. “Only one boy came. He turned on the motor from outside and then came inside. The motor… we didn’t even understand what instrument it was,” she said. As the assault happened in full view, children went into shock and panic, running in different directions while older students and teachers tried to console each other.The two injured students have been identified as Geethika and Lakshmi. Following the attack, police launched a search and arrested the 21-year-old suspect, identified as Hemanth alias Dummu, near Dharmavaram railway station. Both victims were taken to the Government General Hospital in Anantapur, with plans to transfer Geethika to Bengaluru for emergency surgery.
Man attacks students in class with chainsaw
Teacher Rajeshwari describes sheer terror inside Raptadu government school as 21-year-old intruder starts power saw outside and storms Class 10 room, injuring two students.
