Midday Meal Worker Brutally Murdered in Himachal Pradesh School Attack
A horrific incident unfolded on Thursday afternoon in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, where a man barged into a government primary school and hacked a midday meal worker to death with a sickle in front of terrified children. The brutal attack occurred in the Chanour panchayat of Dehra subdivision, sending shockwaves through the local community and raising urgent safety concerns.
Gruesome Details of the Attack
According to police reports, the accused, identified as Rakesh Kumar, alias Monu (48), entered the school premises at approximately 12:20 PM. He targeted Sulochana Devi, a 58-year-old midday meal worker, in the kitchen area, leaving her lying in a pool of blood. The children present at the scene screamed in horror, prompting teachers to rush outside and witness the gruesome aftermath.
Sarita, a teacher at the school, recounted the traumatic event: "When we heard the children screaming, we immediately ran outside and saw a man standing with a 'darat' (sickle) in his hand and Sulochana lying in a pool of blood. We quickly took the children inside the classrooms to protect them from further trauma."
Swift Response Leads to Arrest
The teachers attempted to intervene, asking the attacker to leave, but he threatened them in response. Fortunately, teachers from a nearby school arrived at the spot and chased Rakesh Kumar away by pelting stones at him. This brave action forced the accused to flee, enabling authorities to track him down within hours of the murder.
Sulochana Devi was rushed to a nearby government hospital but tragically succumbed to her severe injuries. Police have confirmed that Rakesh Kumar was arrested shortly after the incident and is currently being questioned. However, the motive behind this brutal attack remains unclear, with investigations ongoing to determine the reasons behind such a violent act.
Community Outrage and Safety Demands
The broad daylight murder on school premises has sparked significant anger among parents and local residents. Many parents reached the school on Thursday, demanding immediate measures from the administration to enhance security and restrict the entry of outsiders without proper permission.
This tragic event highlights critical safety vulnerabilities in educational institutions, especially in rural areas. The incident has raised pressing questions about the protection of staff and students, with calls for stricter access controls and emergency protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Authorities are now reviewing security arrangements at schools across the region, while the community mourns the loss of Sulochana Devi, whose dedication to serving midday meals to children ended in such a violent and untimely manner.
