Guwahati: Family members of those killed in the Guwahati hotel shooting on Wednesday said the death of accused Ghanakanta Gogoi in police firing had brought them some relief, although it could not erase their pain.Dilip Bharali, elder brother of Hotel Bilas Inn co-owners Bhudev Bharali and Helena Bharali, who were killed in the shooting at the hotel on Oct 26, said, “The killing of Bhudev, Helena, her son and daughter-in-law by hotel leaseholder Ghanakanta Gogoi is painful. Ten days have passed since the incident. The accused’s death in police firing in Sivasagar on Wednesday morning, while he was being taken on transit remand in connection with a separate case, has given us some relief, even though it cannot bring the deceased back.”He said capital punishment for the accused had been a demand of villagers and people across the state.Meanwhile, Bhudev Bharali’s daughter, Ankita Bharali, said, “We received the news this morning that the person who murdered my father, aunt, brother and sister-in-law had been killed. Despite our grief, this has brought our family some peace. I thank the people of Assam, the chief minister and the police for their support and efforts. I urge the police to continue the investigation, identify anyone else involved and ensure that they are brought to justice.”Ronit Singh, brother of Helena’s daughter-in-law, Rinika, also said the accused’s death, 10 days after the shooting that killed Rinika and others and left the Bharali family shattered, had brought them some relief.“The shooting at the hotel on October 26 orphaned my sister’s 18-month-old son and eight-year-old daughter. They have been continuously asking for their parents. We have been trying to keep them occupied and divert their attention. This is very painful,” he added.
