Bhubaneswar: Barang police on Wednesday arrested three persons in connection with a brutal sword attack near Mundali barrage at Sana Mundali village under Barang police limits in Cuttack district on Tuesday morning (May 12, 2026).
The arrested persons have been identified as Rohit Kumar Sahu of the Athagarh area, and Subrata Behera and Subhendu Nayak of the Niali area. Police said all three were produced before a local court after their arrest.
According to police, the incident took place around 11:30 am when 27-year-old Kanhu Dalai was eating dahibara at a roadside stall run by Ranjan Kumar Rout near Mundali barrage. Suddenly, six bike-borne miscreants arrived at the spot and allegedly attacked him with swords without any provocation.
Kanhu sustained severe injuries to his abdomen after being repeatedly assaulted by the attackers. When stall owner Ranjan Kumar Rout and local resident Anil Kumar Lenka rushed to his rescue, they too were attacked and suffered minor injuries.
After the assault, the accused fled the spot towards Athagarh via the Mundali bridge. Local people later rescued the injured and shifted them to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. While Ranjan and Anil were discharged after treatment, Kanhu remains under medical care in critical condition.
On being informed, Zone-4 ACP Amitabh Mohapatra, along with other police officials, reached the spot and initiated an investigation. Preliminary findings suggested the involvement of persons from the Athagarh area, following which police launched raids and arrested the three accused.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the attack and identify the remaining suspects.
