Guwahati: The Assam government has announced that Syamkanu Mahanta, along with any organization associated with him, will be prohibited from organizing any functions or festivals within the state.
The government further stated that no financial grant, advertisement, or sponsorship will be provided for any event linked to him, either directly or indirectly.
In addition, Assam will request the Central government not to extend any financial assistance or sponsorship to Mahanta in any form.
“The State Government has decided to prohibit Shri Syamkanu Mahanta and any organisation associated with him from holding any functions or festivals within the State of Assam. Further, the State Government will not provide any financial grant, advertisement, or sponsorship to any event with which he is associated, either directly or indirectly,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.
The chief minister further added, “The State Government will also request the Government of India not to extend any financial assistance or sponsorship to him in any manner.”
The extensive restrictions follow multiple FIRs filed against Syamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the ‘North East India Festival’ and ‘Rongali’, and Sidharth Sarma, Zubeen Garg’s manager, after the singer’s death during a yacht outing in Singapore.
His sudden death has triggered intense scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding the Singapore trip and raised questions about safety protocols.
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Mahanta had earlier stated that Garg went on the yacht trip with members of the local Assamese community and that festival organizers were unaware of the outing.
In the wake of Zubeen Garg’s death, the people of Assam have expressed outrage, demanding justice and holding both Mahanta and Sarma morally responsible for the tragedy.