Police open fire on chainsaw attack accused in Atmakur forest

On Sunday night, police opened fire on M. Hemanth, the man accused of attacking a Class X student with a chainsaw, in the Atmakur forest area, leaving him critically injured. The police were alerted that Hemanth was hiding in the forest and attempted to apprehend him when he refused to surrender. Hemanth allegedly threw stones at police and tried to attack an officer with a knife while trying to flee.

In response, the police fired two warning rounds in the air before opening fire six times, hitting Hemanth in both of his legs. He was transported to the Government General Hospital in Anantapur for treatment, where his condition is described as critical. Further details on the incident are pending. Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh did not provide a statement.

Hemanth is accused of attacking a Gopika, a student, with a chainsaw in her classroom at Zilla Parishad High School on Saturday, and Gopika remains hospitalized in Bengaluru. The HRD Minister, Nara Lokesh, visited Gopika on Sunday and the YSR Congress Party president, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, plans to visit on Monday.