A day after singer Zubeen Garg was laid to rest with full state honours in Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Shyamkanu Mahanta, along with any organisation associated with him, is barred from holding functions or festivals in the state.
The Assam government also stated that it will not provide financial grants, advertisements, or sponsorships for events connected to Mahanta, and will request the Government of India to refrain from extending assistance.
Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government took the decision after multiple FIRs were filed against Mahanta, the chief organiser of the North East India Festival, and Sidharth Sarma, manager of singer Zubeen Garg, after Garg’s death during a yacht outing in Singapore.
Garg, a prominent cultural figure in Assam, was widely recognised for his contributions to music and the state’s cultural identity. His sudden death has prompted scrutiny over the Singapore trip and raised questions about safety measures.
Mahanta previously stated that Garg had gone on the yacht outing with local Assamese community members and that festival organisers had no prior knowledge of the trip. Public calls for accountability have persisted, including social media campaigns holding Mahanta and Sarma responsible.
Meanwhile, the Assam Crime Investigation Department (CID) has officially begun its investigation into Zubeen Garg’s death. Authorities have dispatched a four-member CID team to Delhi as part of the initial probe. The investigation team comprises an Additional Superintendent of Police, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and two Inspectors.
In another related development, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Gauhati High Court seeking a judicial investigation into the circumstances of his passing. The PIL, which has already reached the Chief Justice’s bench, demands a transparent and independent inquiry to uncover the full truth behind the tragic incident that has shocked fans across Assam and beyond.
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