Mobile internet services were suspended and prohibitory orders were imposed in Assam’s Baksa district on Wednesday following violent protests that erupted after a convoy carrying five individuals arrested in connection with the death of singer Zubeen Garg was attacked.
The incident occurred while the convoy was transporting the suspects to Baksa District Jail in the afternoon. As the vehicles entered the prison complex, a large crowd gathered outside, attempting to surround the area and throwing stones at the convoy. The unrest persisted for some time, even after the accused were taken inside the jail.
Police responded by deploying rubber bullets and tear gas to control the situation. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh arrived at the scene after the violence. At least three police vehicles were set ablaze, while others, including those belonging to Singh and the Inspector General of the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous Districts, sustained damage.
Local authorities are still assessing the number of injuries resulting from the clashes. In light of the violence, the Baksa district administration invoked Section 144, which prohibits gatherings of five or more people in Mushalpur, the district headquarters, and around the Baksa District Jail. Additionally, the Home and Political Department suspended mobile internet services throughout the district, citing concerns that social media could be used to spread inflammatory messages.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the violence, describing it as “very unfortunate,” and urged citizens to remain calm and trust the judicial process in the ongoing investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death. He warned against the potential political exploitation of public emotions, referencing past incidents that had long-lasting effects on Assam.
“This is not in the interest of Assam,” he remarked. “Just as the anti-CAA protests damaged Assam for a long time, this will also have repercussions.” Sarma called for patience, emphasizing that the Assam Police would complete its investigation within the stipulated time and present all accused to the court.
In response to the police actions in Baksa, senior Congress leader Ripun Bora criticized what he described as authoritarian governance in the state. He shared a tweet condemning the police brutality against Zubeen Garg’s supporters, stating that the government addressed demands for justice with violence.
Zubeen Garg, 52, died on September 19 while swimming in Singapore, an event that sparked widespread outrage and calls for transparency. In response, the Assam government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances surrounding his death.
The arrested individuals include two primary suspects: Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organizer of the Northeast India Festival, and Garg’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, both taken into custody on October 1. The others are Garg’s cousin, Assam Police Service officer Sandipan Garg, who was present during the incident, along with two of Garg’s personal security officers, Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya, arrested on October 10.
After their police custody ended, the five were presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court and subsequently taken to the newly inaugurated Baksa District Jail, which had no other inmates at the time.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Guwahati on October 17 to honor the late Zubeen Garg. His visit was confirmed by Bedabrata Bora, Chairperson of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Media Cell, who noted that Gandhi would meet Garg’s family to offer condolences on behalf of the party.
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