No Child Should Learn in Fear: Nara Lokesh Deploys Mental Health Teams After Rapthadu School Attack
Education Minister Nara Lokesh deploys 20 counsellors to support students after a brutal saw attack at a Rapthadu school in Anantapur.
In a swift response to a harrowing act of violence, Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development and Education Minister Nara Lokesh has launched a comprehensive trauma-response initiative. This move follows a shocking Rapthadu school attack where an intruder entered a classroom and brutally assaulted students, leaving the community in a state of shock.
Door-to-Door Counseling for Traumatized Students
Recognizing the deep psychological scars left by the incident, Minister Nara Lokesh announced the deployment of a specialized team of 20 mental health counsellors. These professionals are conducting door-to-door visits to provide emotional relief and psychological support to the affected children and their families.
The support system is specifically targeting:
- All 32 students of Class X-A, who were present during the attack.
- Girl students across Classes 8, 9, and 10.
Taking to X, the Minister emphasized that the priority is to restore confidence among parents and students, ensuring they feel secure enough to return to their studies. "No child should have to live or learn in fear," Lokesh stated, adding that the government will stand by the families until the children regain their confidence.
The Horror at Zilla Parishad High School
The incident occurred on a Saturday morning at the Zilla Parishad High School in Rapthadu, Anantapur district. According to officials, an intruder—identified as a relative of the victim—stormed into a Class 10 classroom during school hours. Armed with a wood-cutting saw/blade, the assailant brutally attacked a female student. In a brave attempt to save her classmate, another student intervened and was also injured in the process.
Anantapur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ashwin Manideep Kakumanu confirmed the details, stating that the accused attacked the girl brutally inside the classroom. The perpetrator was later apprehended and arrested at the Dharmavaram railway station.
Emergency Airlift and Medical Recovery
Following the attack, Minister Nara Lokesh coordinated emergency medical protocols to ensure the critically injured girl received immediate, high-level care. A "green channel" was facilitated to airlift her to Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.
The Minister has remained in constant contact with the medical team to monitor her progress. He shared that doctors successfully controlled the bleeding and her condition has since stabilized. The victim is currently undergoing a series of procedures, including orthopaedic surgery, which will be followed by plastic surgery to treat facial and other injuries.
"My heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and medical staff who are doing everything possible to help her recover. She has already endured so much, and I sincerely pray that she makes a full and speedy recovery."