Hyderabad, Feb 6 (IANS): A class 12 student was critically injured in an attacked by a spurned lover on Wednesday, police said. The assailant was later arrested.

The incident occurred in Barkatpura neighbourhood in the heart of the city when the 17-year-old student was on her way to the college.

The youth, later identified as Bharat, attacked her with a sickle used to cut coconuts. The girl sustained grievous injuries on her neck, stomach and hands and was taken to the Yashoda Hospital where she is battling for life.

Doctors at the hospital said the victim suffered 14-15 cuts and lost a lot of blood. They said she was put on artificial life support system and the next 72 hours would be critical.

Police later arrested Bharat, a neighbour of the victim. He told police that he was furious as the girl was not talking to him.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East Zone) M. Ramesh told reporters that the 19-year-old will be booked for attempt to murder and also under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Ramesh said the boy and the girl had been friends, but a few days ago, her family had approached 'Bharosa Centre', a support centre of Hyderabad police for women and children, alleging that the boy was harassing her. As the boy's family agreed to make him mend his ways, the girl's parents did not lodge a complaint with the police.

However, Bharat continued to pester the girl. As she was not talking to him, he took revenge on her by attacking her.