Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday responded to the violence outside Baksa District Jail following the arrival of five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case. The accused include main organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma, suspended APS officer Sandipan Garg, and two PSOs—Nandeswar Bora and Paresh Baishya.

CM Sarma said that while the accused could have been sent to Dhubri or Diphu prisons, located five hours away, Baksa was chosen due to its relatively stable law and order and cooperative local population. The Justice Soumitra Saikia commission will investigate the lapses that led to the incident.

In a major development, CM Sarma announced a committee, including Zubeen Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, along with close family and friends, to approve the design of the singer’s memorial samadhi. He also declared the establishment of a fast-track court and confirmed that a special public prosecutor will be appointed, as recommended by Assam’s Advocate General, to ensure the SIT (Special Investigation Team) files the chargesheet on time.

The Chief Minister thanked the Singapore government for approving a visit by the Assam police team on October 21, following his intervention with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who had communicated official concerns over the initial denial.

Meanwhile, the Assam government temporarily suspended telecom services in Baksa after protests outside the district jail turned violent. Protesters demanding justice for Zubeen Garg set vehicles on fire and pelted stones at jail authorities’ vehicles, prompting police to use mild lathi charge and tear gas to control the situation.

Zubeen Garg, a prominent Assamese singer, passed away in Singapore on September 19 under suspicious circumstances while allegedly swimming, a day before his scheduled performance at the Northeast India Festival. The government’s actions aim to ensure swift justice and preserve the singer’s legacy amid heightened public emotions and security challenges.