GUWAHATI: Five people were killed and one injured in a shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati’s Bora Service area on Monday, October 26. Police have arrested the hotel’s leaseholder, Ghanakanta Gogoi, in connection with the incident, which preliminary investigations suggest was triggered by a dispute over the hotel’s lease agreement.
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The deceased have been identified as Helena Bharali, the hotel owner; her son, Devarshi Ishan Kashyap; Devarshi’s wife, Riniki Kashyap; Bhudev Bharali, Helena’s brother; and Narayan Das. Four of the five deceased belonged to the same family.
Another person, identified as Satyendra Pathak is undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and is reportedly responding to treatment.
Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta told reporters that six people sustained gunshot wounds, of whom five died. The injured person is receiving treatment, while the weapon used in the incident, a licensed .32-bore pistol, has been seized.
“Interrogation is underway, and preliminary investigation suggests that the incident stemmed from a property dispute related to the lease agreement of the hotel,” Mahanta said.
He added that all the victims were associated with the hotel owner and siad that the leaseholder had opened fire on them.
Further details about the sequence of events are awaited as the investigation continues.
