4 held in Bhubaneswar for b’day cake cutting with sword in public

Bhubaneswar: A bizarre birthday celebration involving cutting the cake with a sword and creating panic in a residential area here late on Friday evening landed four men in jail.The accused were identified as Niranjan Nayak alias Kalia, 38, Gagan Nayak alias Kapunu, 32, Somanath Singh alias Somu, 25, and Pratyush Patsahani alias Rocky, 26.Acting on a tip-off, a police patrolling team reached the vicinity of Laxmisagar High School, where a group of men allegedly gathered unlawfully, commissionerate police said on Saturday.Police said the accused cut a birthday cake with the sword and intimidated locals. They allegedly hurled abuses, created ruckus in the area and recorded the act to upload on social media, glorifying violence and spreading fear among residents.“Such acts not only disturb public peace but also embolden criminal tendencies. We will take strict action against those trying to terrorise the community,” said a senior police officer.Police seized the sword.A preliminary probe revealed that Niranjan is a habitual offender, with three previous cases registered against him at Laxmisagar police station. The accused were booked under multiple sections of BNS and the Arms Act.The accused were produced in a court here on Saturday. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more people were involved, police said.“Such stunts create unnecessary fear in the neighbourhood. Authorities must keep a strict vigil,” said Ramesh Jena, a local shopkeeper.