World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Police shoot man accused of chainsaw attack on Andhra schoolgirl
Police in Andhra Pradesh shot and seriously injured a man accused of a chainsaw attack on Sunday night in the Atmakur forest area.
The 21-year-old, identified as Hemanth, was accused of attacking a 15-year-old student at her school in Rapthadu on Saturday.
Police said he resisted while being taken for a reconstruction of the crime scene and allegedly tried to escape; accounts differ on the circumstances, with one saying he was hiding in the forest.
Officers fired six rounds, hitting him in both legs, and took him to hospital in Anantapur, where his condition was reported as serious.
The student is being treated at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru, and her condition remains critical; Minister Nara Lokesh said the next 48 hours would be crucial.
Lokesh said the government would support her treatment and rehabilitation, while police have said those responsible will face action.
Police shot and seriously injured Hemanth, accused of attacking a schoolgirl with a chainsaw, in the Atmakur forest area on Sunday night.
Police said he resisted and tried to escape as officers took him for a crime-scene reconstruction; they fired six rounds.
Hemanth was taken to a hospital for treatment, and his condition was reported to be serious or critical.
The 15-year-old student was attacked at Zilla Parishad High School in Rapthadu on Saturday and remained in critical condition.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh visited the girl and her family at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.
- Who
- Police shot Hemanth, also identified as Hemanth alias Dummu, who is accused of attacking a 15-year-old student.
- What
- Officers fired six rounds, seriously injuring him. Police said he tried to escape and threw stones.
- When
- Sunday night, November 1, 2026.
- Where
- The Atmakur forest area in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- Police said they fired to prevent his escape and bring him under control after he resisted officers.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hemanth allegedly attacked the student with a chainsaw at Zilla Parishad High School in Rapthadu.
A special police team arrested Hemanth in the Atmakur forest area.
Police shot Hemanth after he allegedly resisted and tried to escape while being taken for a crime-scene reconstruction.
Nara Lokesh visited the injured student and her family at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.
- Accused
- Hemanth, also identified as Hemanth alias Dummu
- Age
- 21
- Police gunfire
- Six rounds
- Attack location
- Zilla Parishad High School, Rapthadu
- Police shooting location
- Atmakur forest area, Anantapur district
- Student's hospital
- Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru
3 sources
What people are saying
When the police were bringing him to Raptadu to reconstruct the scene of the offence he had committed at the school, he tried to escape and started hurling stones at the police personnel.
The police fired six rounds at him, leaving him seriously injured,
The next 48 hours will be critical,