Guwahati: The lone survivor of the Oct 26 Hotel Bilas Inn shooting was discharged from GMCH on Thursday after recovering from his injuries.Satyendra Pathak (43), a driver employed by the Bharali family, was injured when Ghanakanta Gogoi (34) allegedly opened fire on six people at the hotel in Ulubari.Pathak told the media that he fled the scene to save his life after the accused opened fire.Gauhati Medical College and Hospital superintendent Devajit Choudhury said Pathak was stable and was escorted by police to his village in Barpeta after his discharge.“We have received reports that he reached home safely. He should be able to resume his normal work in about a week, following his post-discharge check-up,” Choudhury said.Doctors said the bullet passed through Pathak’s right hand without damaging vital nerves.Speaking to the media at his home, Pathak said he and caretaker Narayan Das tried to flee after seeing Gogoi shoot members of the Bharali family at the hotel reception.“We were outside the hotel, and we saw Gogoi shooting them as there is a transparent glass window. Then, we tried to run away for our lives. I entered a shop near the hotel to save my life while Gogoi had already shot Narayan dead outside the hotel. Thereafter, he entered the shop and shot at me. I can’t remember anything after getting hit,” he said.The shooting killed five people: Bhudev Bharali (65), his sister Helena (58), her son Debarshi Kashyap (39), daughter-in-law Rinika Kashyap (30), and family staffer Narayan Das (48).Police said the firing followed a dispute between the hotel owners and leaseholder Gogoi over the property’s management and use. Gogoi was arrested with a licensed .32-bore pistol allegedly used in the shooting.He was later killed in a police encounter in Sivasagar district on Nov 4 while allegedly trying to escape from custody. The incident occurred in Gaurisagar around 3.10 am, when police were taking him to Sivasagar in connection with another case.
