Five people were shot dead at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati on Monday night, October 26, in what police suspect was a dispute between the property’s owners and its leaseholder. Six people suffered gunshot wounds in total, and five of them died. The incident has shocked the city and prompted sharp questions about law and order.
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What Happened
The firing took place at around 9 pm in the Bora Service area. Police said four of the dead were from the same family, all from the hotel owners’ side. Reports name them as hotel owner Helena Bharali, her brother Bhudev Bharali, her son Devarshi Kashyap and his wife Riniki Kashyap. The fifth victim has been identified in reports as Narayan Das, described variously as a driver or a relative of the family. One more person, Satyendra Pathak, was injured and taken to Guwahati Medical College for treatment.
Accused Held Within an Hour
Police arrested Ghanakanta Gogoi, who had taken the hotel on lease about a year ago, within an hour of the shooting. A licensed .32-bore pistol was seized. Guwahati Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta said preliminary investigation suggests the incident stemmed from a dispute between the hotel owners and the leaseholder over the lease agreement. He said the probe is at an early stage and every aspect is being examined. Gogoi is being interrogated.
Political Reaction
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi said the killings raise serious concerns about the law and order situation in Guwahati and demanded accountability. His statement came on social media soon after news of the shooting spread. The state government has not yet been reported to have responded in detail.
Questions That Remain
Several things are still unclear. Police have not said what exactly triggered the violence on Monday night or whether the dispute had been reported earlier. Investigators will also look at how the accused came to be armed at the hotel and how a licensed weapon was used in such an attack. Forensic teams were seen at the spot collecting evidence.
