Guwahati, Oct 27: Five people, including four members of the same family, were shot dead at a hotel in Guwahati on Monday night, while another person was injured. Police arrested the accused, identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi, within an hour of the incident.

The firing took place at Hotel Bilas Inn in the busy Bora Service area of the city at around 9 pm, according to Guwahati Police Commissioner Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta. Police seized the licensed .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the shooting.

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.

The injured survivor, identified by police as Satyen Pathak, is the hotel caretaker. A senior doctor at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital said his condition was stable.

According to the police commissioner, six people sustained gunshot injuries, of whom five died. Four of the deceased belonged to the same family, while the fifth was from their village. The injured person is also from the same village.

Property dispute suspected

Preliminary investigation suggests that the shooting was linked to a property dispute over the lease agreement of Hotel Bilas Inn. The accused had reportedly taken the property on lease about a year ago.

Police are interrogating the accused to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances that led to the firing.

Mahanta said a scientific and thorough investigation was underway, adding that police were working to establish all details of the incident. The victims’ bodies are being sent for post-mortem examinations.

Assam congress raises security concerns

The Assam Congress criticised the security situation in Guwahati following the incident, raising concerns over public safety and law and order in the state.

In a post on X, the party expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called on the state government to take immediate action and ensure accountability.

Police said further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.