Assam Police Reshuffle: 7 Officers Transferred Days After Guwahati Hotel Bilash Inn Shootout, Including 2 SIT Members

On October 31, the Assam government carried out a significant police reshuffle five days after the Hotel Bilash Inn shootout in Guwahati. Among those transferred were two members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the incident, Shambhavi Mishra and Viku Achumi. Mishra, who had been serving as Commandant of the 6th Assam Police Battalion (APBn) at Kathal, Silchar, has been reassigned to that position.

She will be replaced by Mrinal Deka, who previously held positions as ADCP Crime and DCP East in Guwahati, and led several successful operations in the city. Achumi has been posted as Second-in-Command of the 28th APBn at Howly, Barpeta, filling an existing vacancy. Prithwiraj Rajkhowa, Co-District Superintendent of Police in Lakhipur, Cachar, will take over as Additional DCP (Central) in Guwahati.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Panbazar, Partha Pratim Duwarah, also faced a transfer, moving to become Assistant Commandant of the 1st APBn at Ligiripukhuri, Sivasagar. In another move, Rishav Phukan, Deputy Superintendent of Police in the 1st Commando Battalion, Mandakata, who had been attached to the Guwahati Police Commissionerate, will now replace Duwarah in his new role.

Additionally, Dr Pradip Saikia, Commandant of the 6th APBn at Kathal, Silchar, has been assigned as Assistant Inspector General of Police (Administration) in Assam at Ulubari, Guwahati. The SIT's investigation into the October 26 shootout at Hotel Bilash Inn continues amidst these personnel changes, with the order also amending an earlier notification from October 6, 2026.