Assam Police Launch Investigation into Guwahati Hotel Shooting Incident
Investigation Initiated Following Fatal Shooting
Security personnel maintain vigilance at Bilas Inn Hotel in Guwahati on Tuesday. (Photo: PTI)
Jorhat/Guwahati, Oct 27: In response to a tragic shooting incident at a hotel in Guwahati that resulted in five fatalities, Assam Police has established a special investigation team (SIT) to delve into the matter.
This decision follows claims that the suspect had previously threatened individuals with a firearm during a property dispute in Jorhat back in 2024.
Leading the SIT is Joint Police Commissioner Ankur Jain, alongside DCP (Central) Shambhavi Mishra, DCP (Crime) Debajit Nath, ADCP (Central) Viku Achumi, and Inspector Kuleshjyoti Bhuyan, who oversees the Paltan Bazar police station, along with Sub-Inspector Abinash Das from the same station.
An official statement indicated that the team was formed due to the serious nature of the incident, aiming for a comprehensive, scientific, and swift investigation.
The shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn, located in the Ulubari area of Guwahati, claimed the lives of five individuals, including four family members.
Authorities suspect that the incident arose from a conflict between the hotel’s leaseholder, Ghanakanta Gogoi, who has since been apprehended, and the property owners.
As the SIT investigates the shooting's circumstances, new allegations have emerged regarding Gogoi's past actions in Jorhat in 2024.
Madhurjya Goswami, who accused Gogoi of making threats with a firearm during a property dispute, stated that Gogoi was briefly detained by Pulibor police but released shortly thereafter.
Goswami recounted that he had listed his house on OLX when Gogoi, accompanied by his wife and three-year-old daughter, expressed interest in renting it.
Gogoi purportedly claimed to be the owner of JK Construction, a real estate firm, and later agreed to purchase the house for Rs 64 lakh.
According to Goswami, the arrangement stipulated a 50% payment upon signing the agreement, with the remainder due at the final document signing. However, he alleged that nearly a month passed without Gogoi making the initial payment.
When Goswami pressed for the payment, he claimed that Gogoi threatened him with legal action. During a heated exchange, three unidentified men reportedly emerged from the house after Gogoi called out to someone.
“Before leaving, Ghanakanta threatened me, saying, I will shoot everyone today,” Goswami alleged, adding that Gogoi displayed a firearm and threatened to kill individuals present.
Goswami mentioned that local residents detained Gogoi and turned him over to Pulibor police, who released him around 10:30 PM that same night.
Afterward, Goswami requested Gogoi to vacate the house, leading Gogoi to leave for Guwahati, leaving his wife and daughter behind, who later vacated the property.
A local villager also claimed that Gogoi threatened him with a gun during the same dispute. The villager, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that residents apprehended Gogoi as he attempted to leave and handed him over to the police, who released him shortly after.
Furthermore, the villager alleged that the vehicle Gogoi arrived in has been linked to the shooting incident in Guwahati.
The allegations regarding the 2024 incident, including the threats made by Gogoi and the circumstances of his release, have not been independently verified.
Authorities are currently investigating the lease-related dispute that may have led to the hotel shooting.