Zubeen Garg to Receive Full State Honours During Cremation on September 23 Near Guwahati

Zubeen Garg, the beloved singer, will be cremated with full state honours on September 23 near Guwahati. The decision prioritises his family's wishes and considers the health of his elderly father.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that popular singer Zubeen Garg will be cremated with full state honours on September 23. The cremation will take place at Kamarkuchi NC village near Guwahati. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting, respecting the family's wish for the last rites to be conducted near Guwahati.

There were requests from Jorhat, where Garg spent his early years, for the cremation to be held there. However, the family preferred Guwahati due to logistical reasons. Garg's wife, Garima Saikia Garg, and sister, Pamle Borthakur, highlighted that their 85-year-old father would find it difficult to travel to Jorhat.

Family's Preference and Government's Decision

The Chief Minister stated that Zubeen Garg does not belong to the government, so the family's choice should be prioritised. Three cabinet members and a delegation from the All Assam Students Union discussed the matter with Garg's wife, who conveyed the family's decision to hold the last rites in Guwahati.

Despite respecting Jorhat residents' sentiments, it was decided that Garg's ashes would be immersed there, and a memorial would be built. The CM explained that transporting Garg’s body to Jorhat and back was not feasible due to its condition.

Cremation Site and Arrangements

The cremation site spans 3.3 acres of government land near Guwahati. Local people had established a plant nursery there but willingly offered it for Garg's funeral. The site can accommodate around 5,000 people. Fans are encouraged to pay their respects at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex until September 23 morning.

The state government extended its mourning period by one day, now lasting until September 23. On the cremation day, heavy vehicles will be restricted on the highway near the site. The CM visited the site after returning from Delhi and planned another visit to review arrangements.

Death Certificate and Investigation

The Singapore government issued Zubeen Garg's death certificate, confirming drowning as the cause of death. The Indian High Commission in Singapore sent this certificate, and a request for the postmortem report has been made. Garg died while swimming in Singapore on Friday.

The CID is investigating following multiple FIRs against two accused: North East India Festival Chief Organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma. Both are currently unavailable. The CM emphasised that Singaporean police would handle investigations since the incident occurred there.

The Chief Minister assured that his priority is ensuring Zubeen Garg receives a dignified farewell. He stated that further steps would follow after fulfilling his duty of conducting Garg’s last rites with respect.

With inputs from PTI