After five suspected people were detained in connection with the death of famed musician Zubeen Garg, violent protests erupted outside the District Jail on Wednesday, causing tension to rise in Assam's Baksa district.
The disturbance started when the car carrying the five individuals detained in connection with the singer's death arrived at the prison and was attacked by protesters outside.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Judicial Magistrate placed the accused in judicial prison. They included the singer's manager, Siddharth Sharma, cousin and suspended APS officer Sandipan Garg, event organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, and two PSOs, including Nandeswar Bora.
A sizeable mob demanding justice for Zubeen Garg gathered and started throwing stones at the caravan of police cars transporting the accused as they arrived at the jail grounds. The incident apparently caused damage to a number of vehicles, including a police van.
The mob had become aggressive, and police had to use tear gas shells and airstrikes to diffuse the gathering and calm the situation. In the confusion, one police car was also set on fire.
In an effort to stop the unrest from getting worse, authorities have increased security around the facility and the surrounding neighbourhoods. According to officials, the situation is still tense but under control.
Supporters of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg are demanding a full and open probe into her death, which has caused great indignation throughout the state.
In an effort to stop the unrest from getting worse, authorities have increased security around the facility and the surrounding neighbourhoods. According to officials, the situation is still tense but under control.
Supporters of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg are demanding a full and open probe into her death, which has caused great indignation throughout the state.
Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, vehemently denounced the violent demonstrations that broke out outside Baksa Central Jail on Wednesday.
Sarma claimed that by agitating Zubeen's supporters, some political groups are trying to spark instability in the state.
He warned that those who incite violence will face harsh punishment and encouraged people to keep the calm and let the probe run its course.
Sarma claimed that by agitating Zubeen's supporters, some political groups are trying to spark instability in the state.
He warned that those who incite violence will face harsh punishment and encouraged people to keep the calm and let the probe run its course.
Zubeen Garg, a popular Assamese singer who gained national recognition for his famous song Ya Ali, his away on September 19 while out at sea in Singapore. The following day, the 52 year old performer was supposed to be at the North East Festival.
Sources claim that 52 year old Garg became ill while out at sea and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was put in intensive care by the doctors, but he did not make it.
Fans and the Assamese community were horrified by his unexpected passing, which left a huge hole in India's music scene.
Following allegations of foul play by the singer's wife Garima and a number of admirers, what at first seemed to be an unintentional death during an adventure sport quickly became an accused murder investigation.
Following allegations of foul play by the singer's wife Garima and a number of admirers, what at first seemed to be an unintentional death during an adventure sport quickly became an accused murder investigation.
Soon after, the government of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma established a Special Investigation team (SIT), which began an investigation and has so far detained five individuals in relation to the matter. The two most well-known individuals arrested were Siddharth Sharma, the manager of Zubeen Garg, and Shyamkanu Mahanta, the organizer of the event.
