Guwahati Horror: 5 Dead in 'Cold-Blooded' Hotel Bilas Inn Shooting
Five people were killed and one injured in a brutal shooting near Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati. Police arrest suspect Ghanakanta Gogoi over property dispute.
A wave of shock and grief has gripped Guwahati after a brutal shooting incident near Hotel Bilas Inn in the Ulubari area left five people dead and one critically injured. The carnage, which occurred around 9 pm on Monday in the Bora Service area, has sparked outrage among the victims' families and triggered a political storm regarding the law and order situation in Assam.
'Not a Single Bullet Missed': Family Alleges Cold-Blooded Murder
Tensions ran high outside the morgue of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) as distraught relatives gathered to claim the bodies of their loved ones. Surajit Kalita, a relative of the deceased, did not mince words while describing the nature of the attack.
"At present, I cannot say anything. But as a layman, I can say that this is a cold-blooded murder. Otherwise, a person cannot shoot out five people at a time without missing a single bullet. So, he is a criminal-minded person," Kalita told ANI.
The Medical Toll
Prof. (Dr) Babul Kumar Bezbaruah, the Principal-cum-Chief Superintendent (in-charge) of GMCH, confirmed that five individuals were brought to the hospital dead. He stated that the exact cause of death for each victim would be determined following post-mortem examinations.
One survivor, who sustained a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, was also admitted to the hospital. According to Dr. Bezbaruah, the patient is currently stable and undergoing treatment.
The Motive: A Bitter Property Dispute
Guwahati Police Commissioner Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta revealed that the police acted swiftly, apprehending the accused, identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi, within an hour of the crime. The weapon used in the massacre was also seized from the suspect.
Preliminary investigations point toward a violent escalation of a property dispute. The conflict reportedly centered on the lease agreement of Hotel Bilas Inn, pitting the owner of the property against the person who had taken it on lease—the accused, Ghanakanta Gogoi.
The tragedy has devastated a single community; the Police Commissioner noted that four of the five deceased belonged to the same family, while the fifth victim and the injured survivor were from their village.
Political Firestorm Erupts
The incident has quickly evolved into a political battleground. Assam Congress president and MP Gaurav Gogoi expressed his deep sadness over the loss of lives and questioned the state's security apparatus.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Gaurav Gogoi stated that the incident raises "serious concerns about public safety" and demanded that Chief Minister and Home Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma take responsibility for the rising crime rates. He urged for a thorough inquiry to ensure the perpetrators face justice.
Allegations of 'Lawlessness'
In a more pointed critique, Gaurav Gogoi alleged that a "spirit of lawlessness" is growing across Assam and other North Eastern states, including Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. He claimed that this environment is a result of the "poisoned" political climate created by BJP appointments in the region.
The MP further alleged that the BJP's focus has shifted toward "running illegal syndicates and exploiting people," suggesting that appointing individuals of "dubious nature" to positions of power has disturbed the fabric of society.
The Guwahati Police have assured the public that a scientific and comprehensive investigation is underway to uncover all circumstances surrounding the shooting and bring the case to a logical conclusion.