Guwahati, November 4:
Members of the Bharali family have expressed a sense of relief following the death of Ghanakanta Gogoi, the accused in the Bilas Inn killings, in police firing near Phulpanichiga in Sivasagar. The family said the news had eased their pain to some extent and made them feel that justice had been served.
Five people were killed in the October 26 incident at Bilas Inn hotel in the Bora Service area of Guwahati. The deceased were Helena B Bharali, her son Debarshi Ishan Kashyap, daughter-in-law Rinika, Helena’s brother Bhudev Bharali and hotel caretaker Narayan Das.
Bhudev Bharali’s daughter told the media that the family had been waiting for news of action against the accused. She said the news of Gogoi’s death had brought some relief despite the pain of losing her father, aunt and other relatives.
The son of deceased hotel caretaker Narayan Das also expressed relief. He said the family had been waiting for the accused to face punishment following the killing of five people, including his father.
According to the police, Gogoi had been arrested in connection with a fraud case registered at Dimou Police Station in 2024. He was being taken to Dimou on a production warrant when the incident occurred.
Police claimed that around 3.10 am on Wednesday, near Phulpanichiga, Gogoi tried to snatch a police officer’s weapon and escape after the vehicle stopped. Sivasagar Superintendent of Police said a scuffle followed, during which three rounds were fired and a police officer was injured. Another officer allegedly opened fire in self-defence, resulting in Gogoi’s death. Police said he sustained two bullet injuries. The injured officer, Debashish Sharma, was admitted to hospital.
