Search Continues for Accused Student in Karnataka Hostel Attack
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Ballari (Karnataka), March 9 (NationPress) - The minor student suspected of murdering a fellow hostel resident and injuring seven others at a private residential school in Karnataka’s Ballari district is still missing, according to police reports released on Monday.
The tragic event took place late Saturday night at a Gurukul residential school located on the outskirts of Ballari. Police investigations suggest that the Class 9 student allegedly used an iron rod to attack his fellow hostel mates following a minor disagreement.
After the attack, the boy reportedly escaped from the school premises and has not been located since. Authorities noted that he vanished within thirty minutes after the incident, managing to leave the grounds without being detected.
“There have been no evident leads on his whereabouts after he left the school compound,” stated police officials.
A comprehensive search operation is currently in progress, led by Ballari Superintendent of Police Suman Pannekar. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby roads and paths in an effort to trace the suspect's escape route.
Ballari Range Inspector General of Police P.S. Harsha confirmed that nine children were victims of this heinous act.
“This incident happened late at night at a Gurukul school on the outskirts of Ballari. A boy known to the victims attacked nine children. Tragically, one of them lost his life due to the injuries sustained,” he disclosed.
In addition to the students, the hostel warden was also injured while attempting to intervene, and a driver affiliated with the institution was hurt as well.
The injured students, along with the female warden, are receiving treatment at the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Ballari.
Police reports indicate that the attack occurred after dinner while the students were asleep in the hostel. One student succumbed to his severe wounds, while others were rushed to VIMS for urgent medical care.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has raised concerns regarding the school administration's account of the incident. While school officials assert that an iron rod was used in the attack, the family suspects that a knife may have been involved and has called for a thorough investigation.
The parents have also suggested that the accused might be struggling with substance abuse and have criticized the school administration for the tragic occurrence, questioning how such a violent episode could transpire within a residential facility.