Ranchi: A 55-year-old school principal was found critically injured in his office at St Michael Boys Middle School in Khunti on Wednesday morning.Father Benedict Barla was found unconscious in a pool of blood on the school premises. He was taken to a local hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Ranchi, where he remains in intensive care on ventilator support.Hospital sources said he had multiple head and neck injuries. Authorities said he would remain under close observation for at least 72 hours.Residents blocked Bhagat Singh Chowk for several hours on Wednesday, later withdrawing the protest after giving police a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest those responsible.Khunti SP Rishabha Garga said police received information around 9 am and immediately arranged medical assistance. “His condition is said to be stable,” the SP said.Police are examining CCTV footage and trying to determine the weapon used. Sources said footage showed masked youths entering the school office around 8.50 pm on Tuesday. Investigators suspect the assailants may have hidden on the premises before the attack.Garga said, “The investigation is underway and all angles are being examined.”
