Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said his government would conduct an inquiry into singer Zubeen Garg’s death.
The chief minister said that he has directed Director General of Police Harmeet Singh to transfer multiple FIRs lodged across the state over Garg’s death to the CID and to register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation.
Sarma said that he has also spoken to Singapore High Commissioner in India, Simon Wong, and requested for a detailed inquiry into the circumstances leading to the singer’s death.
The first FIR was lodged against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and the singer’s manager Siddhartha Sharma at Morigaon police station, alleging that they (the accused), as a “part of a conspiracy, took Zubeen to a foreign country, on the pretext of singing but with the motive to kill him”.
Since then, several FIRs have been filed across the state, he said.
“Multiple FIRs have been filed against Syamkanu Mahanta and Siddhartha Sarma in connection with the unfortunate and untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. I have directed the @DGPAssamPolice to transfer all the FIRs to the CID and to register a consolidated case for a thorough investigation,” the CM said in a post on X.
“Assam Police will probe the death of Zubeen Garg and both Mahanta and Sharma, along with those who were present with the singer in his last moments, will be interrogated,” Sarma told reporters. There are reports that the singer was taken to a party the night before his death, and “we are also trying to ascertain its veracity”, he said.
Garg died in Singapore on Friday, while “swimming in the sea without a life jacket”.
“I spoke to the High Commissioner of Singapore, Simon Wong, and requested a detailed inquiry into the circumstances leading to the untimely demise of our beloved Zubeen Garg. He has assured me of complete cooperation in this regard,” the CM said in another post on X.
Singaporean authorities have also started their investigation, and “as the place of occurrence was not India, we will get the criminal part, if any, from that country, and if he was taken from Assam with a wrong intent, we will get this aspect from the state”, the CM said. “The state government will impartially ascertain all aspects related to his death, and all arrangements will be made if anyone wants to give any information or be a witness,” he said.
Sarma said that the matter should become absolutely clear to the people of the state so that nothing is hidden regarding the popular singer’s death.
Hundreds throng Zubeen’s residence in Guwahati; hold spontaneous memorials
People from all walks of life thronged Zubeen Garg’s residence in Guwahati on Saturday, standing in solidarity with the bereaved family as they awaited the arrival of the singer’s mortal remains from Singapore, where he died the previous day.
Condolence meetings and memorials were held across the state, with commercial establishments in different parts, including Guwahati, spontaneously closing down as a mark of respect for Garg.
Garg (52), who was in Singapore to attend the North East India Festival, had gone with 17 others on a yacht trip and died while “swimming in the sea without a life jacket”, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said.
A garlanded photograph of the singer was placed in the parking lot of the apartment, where the fans and well-wishers paid floral tributes.
The singer’s wife, Garima Garg, also joined the mourners for sometime as she sat among them, wiping away tears.
State Congress president and party’s deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi said, “It is still difficult to believe that Zubeen da is no more. I request all to give a befitting farewell to the singer so that his soul finds peace in the after-world and wherever he is, he knows how much we loved him.”
Raijor Dal president and MLA Akhil Gogoi, talking to reporters after calling on the bereaved family, said, “The family is in deep sorrow and we are with them in sharing this grief.”
Questioning the circumstances of Zubeen’s death, Gogoi said, “Though the chief minister has announced a CID inquiry, we feel that a CBI probe is needed. A CBI probe along with the investigation by Singapore authorities will assuage our apprehensions.”
The Raijor Dal leader’s demand came in the wake of allegations of ‘negligence’ on part of the festival organisers, leading to the singer’s death.
Assam Jaitya Parishad (AJP) chief Lurinjyoti Gogoi, paying his respects, said with Zubeen’s death, the state has lost one of the most passionate voices.
“He was an identity of Assam. His songs, his creations touched every strata of society. It is now our responsibility to keep alive his songs, his ideals,” he said.
Rallies and memorials were organised in several parts of the state, including Guwahati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Nagaon, as people came out to pay their tributes, singing popular numbers of the heartthrob together.
Events and competitions, be it sports or cultural, were postponed or cancelled by different organisations for next three days as a sign of respect to the deceased singer.