India, Nov. 4 -- A man accused of killing five people near a hotel in Guwahati last week was killed in an encounter early on Wednesday (November 4) while allegedly attempting to escape from police custody, officials said.

Ghanakanta Gogoi, who police said was responsible for the killings following a dispute over the hotel's lease, was being taken from Guwahati to Sibsagar, around 350 km away, in connection with a separate case when the incident occurred at around 3.12 am.

"When the team reached Gaurisagar, he said he wanted to answer nature's call. After getting down from the vehicle, he tried to snatch the service weapon of the investigating officer. A scuffle ensued," Sibsagar Senior Superintendent of Police Papori Chetia said.

"At t...