Man detained for brandishing toy gun while driving motorcycle in Odisha’s Angul

Police in Angul district detained a man on Saturday for publicly displaying a toy gun on his motorcycle, in a case that has triggered wider concerns about road safety and public order in the region.

According to details shared by Angul police in a post on X, the incident unfolded under the jurisdiction of Khandapa Police Station, where officers intercepted a motorcyclist for riding with what appeared to be a firearm mounted prominently on his vehicle.

Upon investigation, the weapon was confirmed to be a toy. Nevertheless, authorities seized both the motorcycle and the imitation firearm, citing potential public alarm and disruption to safety.

Images shared by Angul Police on social media showcased the man posing with the bike and the toy gun, and another showing him in police custody alongside the confiscated items. An FIR has been registered in the case, and the man remains under police watch, said reports.

Officials described the action as part of a zero-tolerance approach to displays of weapons, real or imitation, that could incite fear or mislead the public. Law enforcement sources emphasised that even toy weapons, when misused in public spaces, could pose risks and potentially escalate into larger confrontations.

Angul's Road Safety Under Scrutiny

The display of the toy weapon comes amid growing concern over traffic discipline and road safety across the Angul district. Earlier this month, two youths lost their lives in a fatal motorcycle crash near Champattimunda under Bantala police limits.

The victims were returning from Jharsuguda when they lost control and collided with a roadside tree. The impact killed both riders instantly, highlighting persistent dangers on Odisha's highways.