Irate locals staged road blockade at Tinimuhani Chhak in the Kendrapada town on Sunday protesting the firing on a businessman on Saturday night.
Vehicular communication on the Cuttack-Chandbali route was severely affected due to the blockade. Shops and business establishments at Tinimuhani Chhak also downed their shutters.
The agitators demanded immediate arrest of those involved in the firing incident. Four platoons of police force were deployed in the area and the town to avoid any untoward incident.
Sources said two unidentified bike-borne miscreants had opened fire at Tinimuhani Bazaar Committee president Vivekananda Moharana near Gulnagar bridge while he was returning home on a motorcycle.
Moharana sustained bullet injuries on his stomach and was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital by locals. He was later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack as his condition deteriorated.
The reason behind the attack is yet to be ascertained and investigation by police is underway.
“We have started an investigation and are hopeful of arresting the accused at the earliest possible,” said Kendrapada SP Niti Sekhar, who visited the spot along with other senior police officials to take stock of the situation.