OUTRAGE IN ANDHRA VILLAGE AFTER BRUTAL CHAINSAW ATTACK ON TWO SCHOOLGIRLS; FAMILY DEMANDS JUSTICE
November 1, 2026
Anger and public outrage have intensified in Raptadu village of Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district following a brutal chainsaw attack on two schoolgirls inside their classroom. Residents and family members of the victims have demanded stringent action against the accused, with some calling for an immediate encounter. The attack, which took place on October 31, has raised serious concerns over the safety of children within educational institutions.
The principal victim, 15-year-old Mudaga Gopika, a Class X student at a Zilla Parishad High School, sustained devastating injuries after a 21-year-old man allegedly entered the classroom carrying a mechanised chainsaw and attacked her. Another student, identified as Lakshmi, was seriously injured while attempting to intervene and protect her classmate.
Gopika suffered deep wounds to her neck, face and abdomen, while her right hand was nearly severed. She was initially taken for emergency treatment before being shifted to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru. A multidisciplinary medical team subsequently performed a series of complex orthopaedic and plastic surgeries lasting approximately 12 hours to stabilise her condition. Doctors managed to revive and stabilise the critically injured teenager.
The accused, identified as Hemanth, was arrested by police near Dharmavaram railway station in Sri Sathya Sai district. Preliminary investigations indicate that he was allegedly known to the victim and may have been pursuing her despite her objections. Investigators are examining the circumstances behind the attack, including the alleged harassment preceding the incident.
The attack has provoked widespread anger among residents, relatives and members of the local community. Family members and villagers have appealed to the police and state government to ensure swift justice, with some demanding that the accused be killed in an encounter. The demands reflect the intensity of public anger following the assault on the two schoolgirls.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu condemned the attack and directed police officials to pursue the investigation urgently. He also instructed medical authorities to provide the injured students with the highest priority treatment and assured the victim's family that stringent legal action would follow.
The incident has raised troubling questions about school security, particularly how an individual carrying a dangerous mechanised weapon allegedly managed to enter the premises and reach a classroom. Police are examining CCTV recordings and eyewitness accounts as part of the investigation. The school is also expected to strengthen security arrangements before reopening.
The attack has left the local community demanding accountability and stronger protection for students, while Gopika continues her recovery under specialist medical supervision. The investigation and subsequent judicial proceedings will determine the legal responsibility of the accused.
