Unidentified miscreants stabbed and critically injured a trader at Bharatpur under the Pattamundai police station and snatched his money and mobile phone late on Sunday night.
The victim, identified as Nirakar Nayak of Pokhariapada village, was returning home after closing his shop in Singiri Bazar when the incident took place.
The looters followed and waylaid Nayak at Bharatpur Chhak and tried to snatch away his cash bag. As he offered stubborn resistance, the robbers stabbed him with a knife and snatched the bag carrying Rs 8,720 in cash and mobile phone.
Later, Nayak was rescued by some locals and rushed to the Pattamundai Sub-Divisional Hospital.
Police have lodged a case in connection with the incident and are trying to trace the accused. The incident has triggered panic among other traders in the area.