Guwahati, Oct 17: The Assam government is ramping up its efforts to ensure justice in the Zubeen Garg case, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirming that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is likely to file its chargesheet by November.
Sarma said the SIT has already uncovered the “basic motive” behind the incident and is progressing in a “commendable manner.” He also expressed gratitude to the Singapore government for allowing an Assam Police team to visit the country on October 21 after repeated requests, adding that the breakthrough came following the intervention of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
“Initially, the Singapore Police were reluctant to engage with us, as investigations of this nature in their country generally take six months and are carried out under strict confidentiality,” the Chief Minister said. “However, thanks to Dr S. Jaishankar’s direct communication with Singapore authorities, they have agreed to extend special cooperation to Assam Police.”
Sarma also announced a judicial inquiry into the police firing outside Baksa District Jail, assuring that the investigation will follow due process and hold the police accountable wherever necessary.
BAKSA JAIL VIOLENCE: On the Baksa Jail violence, he said nine individuals have been arrested so far, including Nurul Alom, Mahidul Islam, and Mustafa Ahmed of the All Bodoland Minority Students’ Union (ABMSU), along with D-voter Ahela Mia. Two injured youths are being treated at AIIMS, Delhi, and are reportedly stable.
Dispelling rumours of deaths in the incident, Sarma said, “Reports claiming that the injured have died are false. Both are stable, and my cabinet colleague Ranjeet Dass has personally verified this at AIIMS Guwahati.”
Responding to criticism over the police’s handling of the situation, the Chief Minister clarified that the lathi charge did not originate from the police. “The unrest began when a mob of about 150 youths blocked and attacked police vehicles transporting the accused in the Zubeen Garg case—Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, and others—to judicial custody,” he said.
“One police personnel was injured and hospitalised after the initial assault,” Sarma added. “Videos circulating online were selectively edited, misrepresenting the sequence of events. Even journalists and police had to take shelter under a nearby bridge as stones were hurled at them.”
Explaining the choice of Baksa Jail for the accused, Sarma said the court’s order for judicial custody was received at the last moment, forcing a quick logistical decision. “Baksa was chosen because it was closer and more peaceful than other options like Dhubri or Diphu, which would have required around five hours of travel,” he said.
The Chief Minister further assured that all aspects of the incident would be scrutinised by the Justice Soumitra Saikia Commission to identify lapses and fix accountability.
In a political swipe, Sarma criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for visiting Zubeen Garg’s Samadhi and residence 28 days after the singer’s demise. “Was Zubeen Garg’s life valued so little?” he asked. “Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kiren Rijiju had already visited his Samadhi and home. We expected senior Congress leaders like Rahul Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi to be present during his last rites, but none came.”
Drawing a parallel to the 2011 funeral of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Sarma added, “Even during Bhupen Hazarika’s last rites, no Congress leader attended. We welcome their tribute now, but it comes 28 days too late.”
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