Five Killed in Shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati's Bora Service Area, Lessee Arrested

Five people have been killed in a shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in the Bora Service area of Guwahati, in India's Assam state. Police said the incident took place on Monday night (26 October).

The dead are the hotel's owner Helena Bharali, her son Debarshi Kashyap, Debarshi's wife Riniki Kashyap, family relative Narayan Das and Helena's brother Bhudeb Bharali.

Another man related to the family, Satyendra Pathak, who was shot, is being treated at Guwahati Medical College. Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta told reporters that six people in total were shot, five of whom died and one of whom is under treatment.

The accused lessee, Ghankanta Gogoi, has been arrested in the case and is being interrogated, police said. A licensed .32 bore pistol used in the attack has been recovered.

Police Commissioner Partha Sarathi Mahanta said preliminary investigation suggests the incident stemmed from a property dispute over the hotel's lease agreement. He said all the dead and injured were related to the hotel owner, and that the man who had taken the hotel on lease opened fire.

Police said the killings followed a dispute between the hotel owner and the lessee. What happened before the incident and how the shooting began are under investigation, and more information will emerge as the investigation progresses.

Assam Pradesh Congress president Gaurav Gogoi expressed concern over Guwahati's law and order situation after the shooting. In a post on social media he expressed deep grief over the tragic shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati's Ulubari, noted the deaths of five people and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Gaurav Gogoi also wrote that the incident has created serious concern over public safety and the law and order situation in Guwahati. He wrote that Himanta Biswa Sarma, as chief minister and home minister, must take responsibility for the incident and pay more attention to rising crime.

The incident took place on Monday night at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati's Bora Service area. Police said the arrested accused is being interrogated and the circumstances before the incident are under investigation.