5 people shot dead at Guwahati hotel in dispute between property owner, leaseholder

At least five people were killed and another critically injured in a shooting at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati's Bora Service area on Monday evening, police said.

The incident occurred around 9 pm in a lane near the hotel, close to a Kalyan Jewellers outlet along GS Road, one of the city's busiest thoroughfares.

Initial reports had put the death toll at four, but subsequent reports said another victim succumbed to injuries at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁

Senior police officials, including Guwahati Commissioner of Police Partha Sarathi Mahanta, rushed to the scene after receiving information about the firing.

Confirming the initial casualties, Mahanta said police had recovered four bodies and were sending them for post-mortem examinations.

"This is a very unfortunate incident. Four bodies are recovered so far. While medical tests will confirm, they are visibly dead. People are investigating the matter. We will nab the culprits soon," Mahanta said.

The injured were taken to GMCH for treatment, while police began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱

According to police, a dispute between the hotel owner and the person who had taken the property on lease led to the shooting.

Investigators suspect that the leaseholder carried out the attack. Police have arrested one person in connection with the incident.

Mahanta said the firing was carried out using a licensed .32-bore pistol, which has since been recovered.

The identities of all the victims and the precise sequence of events were yet to be officially established.

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆

The shooting triggered panic in the Bora Service locality as police personnel arrived at the scene and began investigating the incident.

Investigators are examining the circumstances leading to the attack and the involvement of those connected with the hotel.

Further details about the victims and the sequence of events are awaited as the investigation continues.

Reporting note: Initial reports confirmed four deaths, while subsequent reports put the toll at five, with one critically injured. 

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The New Indian Express

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