A teacher, who was at a government school in Andhra Pradesh, has described the scene of chaos and fear that ensued when a 21-year-old man with a chainsaw in hand, attacked two girls in a class of Class 10 standard students. One of the victims was critically injured and required emergency surgery.
On Saturday morning at 10.30 am, while students were attending their regular classes in Zilla Parishad High School in the village of Raptadu in the Anantapur district, an incident had occurred.
Teacher Describes Moments of Confusion
Though present at the attack, teachers were not able to identify the instrument as they were involved in construction and other activities at the school premises, said Rajeshwari. The staff members were supposed to believe that there was a worker in the building going about some work.
It was something she didn’t know what to call it,” she remembered, as “one boy, the accused, came on in and turned it on.”
The class doors were typically open, and one was allowed in while kids were studying, she said. He proceeded to come toward the girls before the teachers and kids could grasp what was going on.
Students Left in Shock
The attack took place within the classroom and left both students and teachers shocked and frightened. Some of the older pupils and staff were seen encouraging each other as the incident was witnessed.
Rajeshwari said one of the girls was sitting in the first row of the classroom, during the time of the assault. This was all done very swiftly before anyone could react or intervene, she admitted.
The teacher also said that she heard noises outside before the girls were approached by the accused.
The incident has generated serious queries and concerns on the safety and security measures related to students at government schools, especially where work is taking place on the school premises.