Bhubaneswar, June 8: Fear gripped VSS Nagar as two motorcycle borne youths fired at a businessman.

However, the businessman, Ashok Sahu, escaped unhurt. The bullet missed Sahu, owner of a mobile phone agency, by a whisker.

Eyewitnesses said Sahu was sitting outside his agency in VSS Nagar with a friend when the duo arrived the spot on a motorcycle.

One of them walked close to him and opened fire before Sahu or his friend, Happy Bhutia, could react. After firing just one shot they fled the spot on the motorcycle.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Nitinjeet Singh visited the spot along with other police officials. The police have seized the empty cartridge from the spot.

Singh said two days ago Happy’s brother-in-law, Dipayan Parida, was involved in a brawl over a minor road accident with the accused.

This morning Sahu as and Happy had intercepted the accused near the shop to inquire about the incident. So, they had a score to settle with Sahu and Dipayan.

“Today my brother and Happy were sitting outside the shop when the accused came on a motorcycle. While one of them remained seated on the vehicle the other came close to my brother and Happy and asked him to call Dipayan. When Happy went inside the shop to call Dipayan the accused opened fire at my brother,” said Abani, Sahu’s brother.

“Ashok luckily survived as he pushed a chair towards the accused which upset the latter’s balance. The bullet hit the chair,” added Abani.

Taking advantage of the confusion and panic that followed the accused fled the spot.

The police recorded the statements of Happy, Ashok and Abani.

“Investigation is in progress. We are looking for the accused,” said a police officer.