Girl, 4, cut by best friend

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD pre-schooler suffered two deep cuts which needed 12 stitches after she was slashed on her left leg with a paper cutter by her best friend in school.

The incident took placed on Sept 16 at the Punggol Central Education Centre in Compassvale Street.

Keertika Dana Panniselvam and her buddy, Maya (not her real name), also four, were playing alone in a corner of their classroom while their teacher was focusing on another group of pupils in another part of the room, The New Paper reported on Tuesday.

According to Keertika, Maya spotted a paper cutter lying on a nearby table and called out to her, 'Look, Keertika, look!'

Out of curiosity, Keertika reached out to touch the exposed blade and realised it was sharp.

Before Keertika knew it, Maya had slashed her below her left knee.

Despite her screams, Maya slashed Keertika again, this time lower down her shin.

The wounds were 4cm long and 2cm wide, said TNP.

Keertika's anguished cries drew the attention of the teacher, who alerted the principal. She also bandaged Keertika's wounds.

Keertika was admitted to the KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Her wounds required 12 stitches.

Meanwhile, Maya appeared to be unaware of the consequences of her actions, said TNP.

Keertika's parents do not blame Maya for the incident.

But they were disappointed with the pre-school's handling of the incident and want other schools to take better care of the children.

'They are clearly unprepared to handle such a situation,' said Keertika's dad, Mr S.K. Pannirselvam.