Guwahati, Oct 27: A suspected property dispute is believed to have triggered a deadly shooting at a hotel in Guwahati, leaving five people dead, including four members of the same family, and another person injured on Monday night.
The incident took place at Hotel Bilas Inn in the busy Bora Service area of the city at around 9 pm. Police arrested the accused, identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi, within an hour of the shooting, according to Guwahati Police Commissioner Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta.
Police have recovered a licensed .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the attack. Investigators are now examining the circumstances surrounding the incident and the events that led to the fatal confrontation.
Five Killed, One Injured
The deceased have been identified as hotel owner Helena Bharali, her brother Bhudev Bharali, her son Devarshi Kashyap, her daughter-in-law Riniki Kashyap and their driver, Narayan Das.
Four of the victims belonged to the same family, while Das was reportedly from their village.
The injured survivor, identified as Satyen Pathak, worked as the hotel caretaker. He sustained gunshot injuries and was admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where doctors said his condition was stable.
According to the police commissioner, six people were shot during the incident. Five subsequently died, while Pathak survived with injuries.
Lease Dispute Under Investigation
Preliminary police findings suggest that a dispute over the lease agreement for Hotel Bilas Inn may have been the motive behind the shooting. The accused had reportedly taken the property on lease around a year ago.
However, investigators have yet to establish the precise sequence of events or confirm the circumstances that led to the alleged firing.
Police are questioning Gogoi to determine the nature of the dispute, the events preceding the shooting and whether any other factors contributed to the violence.
Commissioner Mahanta said a thorough and scientific investigation was underway to establish the facts. The bodies of the deceased are being sent for post-mortem examinations as part of the investigative process.
Assam Congress Questions Law and Order
The shooting has also prompted a political reaction, with the Assam Congress expressing concern over public safety and the law-and-order situation in Guwahati.
In a post on X, the party conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and urged the state government to take immediate action and ensure accountability.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about urban security, while police continue their investigation into one of the city’s deadliest recent shooting incidents.
Further details regarding the suspected motive and the circumstances surrounding the killings are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
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