Police open fire on chainsaw attack accused in Atmakur forest

The police opened fire on M. Hemanth, the suspected accused in the chainsaw attack on Class X student Gopika, in the Atmakur forest area on Sunday night, leaving him seriously injured.

According to the police, special teams investigating the case received information that Hemanth was hiding in the forest area. When the police traced him and asked him to surrender, he allegedly threw stones at them and attempted to attack a police officer with a knife while trying to escape.

The police reportedly fired two rounds in the air to warn him. As he continued to resist, they opened six rounds of fire, hitting him in both legs. He was shifted to the Government General Hospital in Anantapur for treatment. His condition is said to be critical.

Further details are awaited. Superintendent of Police P. Jagadeesh was unavailable for comment.

Hemanth allegedly attacked Gopika with a chainsaw in her classroom at the Zilla Parishad High School on Saturday. She is currently undergoing treatment at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.

HRD Minister Nara Lokesh visited the hospital on Sunday and enquired about her health. YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is scheduled to visit the hospital on Monday to enquire about her condition.