Published Oct 31, 2026 | 1:05 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 31, 2026 | 1:34 PM
Girl attacked with power saw
An unidentified person attacked a 10th-grade girl with an electric saw, critically injuring her while lessons were underway in the classroom, at the Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu of Anantapur district, on Saturday, 31 October. Another student who tried to intervene also sustained injuries.
In the brutal attack, the girl’s right hand was severed, and her neck and ears were deeply slashed.
Responding immediately, locals rushed the victim—identified as a resident of Ayyavaripalli village— to a nearby hospital.
After receiving primary treatment there, she was shifted to the Anantapur Government Hospital for better medical care, where her condition remains critical.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the police registered a case and launched an investigation. Later in the day, they have identified the man as Hemanth, a native of Nagaluri village in Dharmavaram mandal. Following the death of his parents, Hemanth had been staying with his elder sister in Ayyagaripalle.
Police have taken the accused into custody in Dharmavaram and are currently questioning him.
The incident occurred between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM. While more than 30 students were present in the classroom, the unidentified person entered and attacked the girl.
Principal Rajeswari stated that she rushed to the classroom upon hearing the sound of the power saw.
They immediately alerted the 108 ambulance service and shifted the victim to the hospital. With construction work currently underway at the school, questions are being raised about how an unidentified person managed to enter the premises.
The girl’s relatives expressed outrage over the lack of adequate safety measures for students.
Meanwhile, a tense atmosphere prevailed at the hospital as the victim’s family members arrived in large numbers.
The victim, hailing from Ayyavaripalli village near Raptadu, commutes to school daily by auto-rickshaw and had arrived in the morning as usual. Although the Telugu period was scheduled for 10:30 AM, the Mathematics class was continuing as the Telugu teachers were assigned to election duties.
Raptadu police stated that the critically injured girl is currently undergoing surgery, while the other student sustained injuries to her legs.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the incident.
The CM spoke with officials regarding the health condition of the critically injured student and the medical treatment being provided to her, and directed police officials to nab the accused and ensure stringent punishment.
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.
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.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) October 31, 2026
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(Edited by Sumavarsha)
