Rinika Bharali was looking forward to returning to Manipur in November to celebrate Ningol Chakouba with her family. However, a deadly shooting at a hotel in Guwahati on October 26 ended that dream, leaving her relatives in Imphal devastated.
The 30-year-old woman, originally from Manipur, was among five people killed at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati. Her death has cast a shadow over the festival, which celebrates the special bond between married women and their maternal families.
Rinika Bharali’s death leaves Imphal family devastated
The tragedy has deeply affected Rinika’s family and neighbours in Yaiskul Hiruhanba Leikai in Imphal West. On October 29, relatives, friends and local residents gathered at Gopinath Mandap to pay their respects to the victims.
The condolence programme included floral tributes and a two-minute silence. People also expressed solidarity with the bereaved family as they struggled to accept the sudden loss.
Rinika’s sister, Rebika Hijam, spoke about the family’s pain while condemning the killings. Speaking to India Today NE, she said the family was unable to understand how such an incident could take away her sister and other loved ones.
She also appealed to the authorities to ensure swift justice and prevent similar incidents in the future.
For the family in Imphal, the gathering was not simply a farewell. It was also an opportunity to remember a daughter and sister whose life remained closely connected to her hometown.
A homecoming dream cut short
Despite living in Assam after her marriage, Rinika maintained a close relationship with her family in Manipur. Her sister recalled that they regularly stayed in touch through video calls and visited each other every year.
Their mother, Hijam Radhe, also travelled to Guwahati at least three times annually to meet Rinika.
According to Rebika, Rinika last visited Imphal in March 2026 to attend the death anniversary of their father. She had planned another visit in November, when her family expected to celebrate Ningol Chakouba together.
However, that long-awaited reunion will never happen.
Ningol Chakouba holds deep cultural and emotional significance in Manipur. The festival brings married daughters back to their parental homes, where families celebrate their relationships through traditional meals, gifts and gatherings.
For Rinika’s relatives, the approaching celebration will now carry a painful reminder of someone who had hoped to return home but never got the chance.
What happened at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati?
The shooting took place at Hotel Bilas Inn in the Ulubari area of Guwahati on the night of October 26. The incident reportedly followed a dispute involving the hotel’s ownership and lease arrangements.
Rinika had accompanied her husband, Debarshi Ishan Kashyap, and other family members to the hotel. The meeting was reportedly intended to discuss issues surrounding the property’s lease agreement with its leaseholder, Ghanakanta Gogoi.
According to preliminary reports, an argument broke out during the meeting before gunfire claimed five lives.
The deceased included hotel owner Helena B. Bharali, her son Debarshi, daughter-in-law Rinika, Helena’s brother Bhudev Bharali and hotel caretaker Narayan Das.
Bhudev’s driver, Satyendra Pathak, also sustained gunshot injuries and was taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
The incident sent shockwaves across Assam and Manipur. Moreover, the loss of four members of one family made the tragedy particularly devastating for their relatives.
Police investigation continues after five killings
Police arrested Ghanakanta Gogoi shortly after the shooting. Investigators also recovered a licensed .32-bore pistol believed to have been used in the attack.
The accused was subsequently produced before a court, which remanded him to seven days of police custody. A six-member Special Investigation Team was also formed to investigate the case.
Initial findings pointed towards a dispute over the hotel’s lease agreement. However, investigators must establish the complete sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The case has raised serious concerns about violence arising from property and business disputes. Nevertheless, the investigation remains important in determining individual responsibility and establishing the evidence behind the killings.
Meanwhile, the injured driver continued receiving medical attention as the families of the deceased began making arrangements for their final rites.
Rinika Bharali’s loss leaves two young children without parents
Beyond the grief in Imphal, the shooting has also left two young children facing an unimaginable loss. Rinika and Debarshi’s children have lost both parents in the same incident.
Reports following the shooting said the children had repeatedly been asking for their mother. Relatives and family members have been looking after them as they deal with the aftermath of the tragedy.
The loss of their grandmother, Helena Bharali, has added to the family’s suffering. Their immediate and long-term care has consequently become an important concern for relatives.
Family members have also spoken about taking responsibility for the children’s upbringing and future.
For Rinika’s relatives in Manipur, the tragedy extends far beyond the loss of a loved one. It has also changed the lives of two children who must now grow up without their parents.
A festival that will never be the same
As Manipur prepares for Ningol Chakouba, Rinika’s family faces a celebration marked by grief rather than reunion. Her planned November visit, once a source of happiness, has become a painful reminder of the life lost.
Her sister’s memories reflect the strong family connections Rinika maintained despite living away from her birthplace.
Moreover, the condolence gathering in Imphal showed how deeply the tragedy has affected the local community. Residents and relatives continue to stand beside the grieving family as they seek justice.
The investigation in Guwahati will now determine the circumstances behind the killings. However, no investigation can undo the loss suffered by Rinika’s family or restore the future her children deserved.
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