Guwahati: Five people, including two women, were killed and one person was injured in a shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn near Bora Service in Guwahati on Monday night, October 26. Police arrested the suspected shooter, identified as Ghanakanta Gogoi, and seized the .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the attack.
The incident is suspected to be linked to a property dispute. However, the exact motive behind the shooting is yet to be officially confirmed.
Among those killed were hotel owner Helena Bharali, her son Debarshi Bharali, her daughter-in-law Riniki Bharali, Helena’s brother Bhudev Bharali and Narayan Das.
The injured person, identified as Satyen Pathak, 42, is undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). A doctor said his condition was stable.
Suspect arrested after shooting
According to police, the shooting took place inside Hotel Bilas Inn, located near Bora Service in Guwahati’s Ulubari area. The incident triggered panic in the locality.
Police from Paltan Bazar arrested Ghanakanta Gogoi soon after the incident. Gogoi had reportedly taken the hotel on lease around a year ago.
Police Commissioner Parthasarathi Mahanta said four bodies were found at the scene when the police reached the spot. He assured that the case would be investigated.
Police later confirmed the seizure of the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
Investigators are examining the circumstances leading to the attack and the suspected property dispute. Further details about the motive and the sequence of events are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
Who was Helena Bharali?
Helena Bharali was a businesswoman from Ichhapurhati in Barpeta district who built several businesses in Guwahati.
She moved to the city with her son Debarshi when he was young and gradually established herself as an entrepreneur. She initially started a rental accommodation business before moving into the hostel sector.
In 1997, she started a girls’ hostel with just eight beds. The hostel was later expanded to accommodate around 60 students and was named ‘Debarshina’. She subsequently opened a boys’ hostel as well.
Helena was closely involved in the day-to-day running of her businesses and took on different responsibilities to ensure their success.
She also established Helena’s Technical Enterprise, which supplied uniforms to students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in different districts. In addition, she started a boutique and later opened a business establishment named ‘Muga’ in Guwahati’s Zoo Road area.
Her journey reflected years of hard work and determination as she expanded her business activities in the city.
Five deaths leave family and community in shock
The shooting claimed the lives of five people, including members of the same family. The deaths of Helena Bharali, her son and daughter-in-law, along with her brother, have left the family devastated.
The death of Narayan Das has added to the tragedy, while the injured Satyen Pathak continues to receive medical care.
The incident has also raised concerns about public safety in Guwahati, where the shooting took place in a busy urban area.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the exact motive behind the killings and determine the circumstances that led to the attack.
The incident is a tragic reminder that disputes over property or business must be resolved through legal means rather than violence. As the investigation continues, further details are awaited from the authorities.
