A police cordon around Hotel Bilas Inn in Ulubari, Guwahati, after a shooting on Monday evening forced nearby businesses to remain shut and displaced guests staying at an adjoining hotel, according to a report by The Times of India – Guwahati.
Hotel Bilas Inn remained under heavy police security on Tuesday. A jewellery store, a premium Indian clothing store and a private bank branch are located near the hotel. While the bank remained open, the other establishments were closed until Tuesday afternoon.
An employee of the clothing store, located beside Hotel Bilas Inn, said staff heard firing and people shouting as they were preparing to close the shop. The employee said the staff left immediately after closing because a large crowd had gathered near the site. The employee said they later learned about the incident through news reports.
The cordon also affected guests staying at Hotel Bhagawan, which is beside Hotel Bilas Inn and shares the same approach road. Abul Hussain, 69, from Kolgachia in Barpeta district, had travelled to Guwahati for a family member’s medical treatment. He said he left the hotel for dinner at about 8.30 pm and returned around 9.30 pm, during which time the shooting took place.
Hussain said police did not allow him to return to Hotel Bhagawan after the area was barricaded. He and his family subsequently checked into another hotel in Sijubari, Guwahati. On Tuesday, police coordinated with hotel employees to help him retrieve his belongings.
The incident temporarily affected commercial activity and access to two hotels on a shared approach road in the Ulubari area. The report did not provide details about the shooting, any injuries, arrests or the reason for the police operation. Police assistance for retrieving the displaced guest’s belongings was the latest action described in the report.
