File picture of Kartik Moharana undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital

Bhubaneswar, July 27: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today congratulated Kartik Moharana for his brave act of catching a goon who was trying to flee after snatching a gold chain from a woman.

Naveen said that the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund would bear the treatment cost of the 32-year-old, who was shot in his thigh.

A number of people, including politicians met Moharana at his home today.

The incident took place at Nageswar Tangi area of the city yesterday.

Moharana, who suffered bullet injuries in his fight with the snatchers, had managed to catch one of them.

Moharana, an arts graduate from Maharishi College of Natural Law, returned from SCB hospital yesterday after the doctor removed a bullet that had pierced his right leg.

His family members said the health condition of Moharana was stable and that doctors had advised him bed rest.

Moharana said he has been calls from his friends and relatives all day, today most of them inquiring about his health.

“I had just completed my puja when I heard the screams of a woman. When I came out of my house, I saw the woman and her husband were chasing the snatchers. I rushed to the spot. Though the snatcher’s aide shot me in the leg, I did not leave him,” he said.

The braveheart runs a movers’ and packers’ agency in the city and stays with his parents. His elder brother, who works in Sambalpur, also rushed to Bhubaneswar this evening.

His neighbours lauded his effort and asked the police to follow the footstep of the youth.

“The police have been acting indifferent despite criminals going on a rampage in the city. The situation has become so bad that criminals are not thinking twice before opening fire in broad daylight. The bravery of the youth was a slap on the face of the police, who have failed to provide security to the citizens,” said one of his neighbourers requesting anonymity.

Moharana had managed to catch hold of a goons despite an accomplice of the criminal firing in the air twice before shooting at him.

The goon had snatched the gold necklace of Jhunu Patniak, who lives near Moharana’s house.

Though the police have arrested Seikh Farid, a native of Nimpara in Puri district after the residents handed over him to them, the other accused is yet to be arrested. The cops are on the lookout for him.