Guwahati: Hundreds of fans of singer Zubeen Garg gathered on Wednesday outside the office of a private TV channel in Guwahati, demanding the immediate arrest of its owner, Sanjive Narain, in connection with the singer’s death in Singapore last week.
The protest coincided with a press conference by Narain, Chairman and MD of Prag News, who had flown to Singapore to attend the Northeast India Festival.
During the meet, Narain sought to clarify his role in the incident that led to Garg’s death on September 19 while swimming in the sea during the festival.
The popular singer was cremated with full state honours on Tuesday on the outskirts of Guwahati.
An FIR had already been lodged against Narain at Bongaigaon Police Station for his alleged role in the episode, which has since been forwarded to the CID headquarters for further investigation.
Narain told reporters that he was not present on the private yacht Garg had taken with some Assamese NRIs to an island in Singapore.
He claimed he only rushed to the harbour after receiving a call from festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta about the accident and took Garg to the hospital.
“I had no idea about the yacht tour. I was having lunch when I received a call that Zubeen had met with an accident. I immediately rushed to the harbour and took him to the hospital,” Narain said.
He added that other people on the yacht were not allowed to leave except Garg’s manager, Siddharth Sharma, as police continued their probe.
Narain also expressed frustration at not being allowed to visit Garg’s mortal remains before the cremation, citing heightened emotions among the fans as a reason for police restrictions.
Outside his Ulubari office, fans protested, chanting slogans and demanding strict action.
“He is an accused in a criminal case. How can he address a press meet? We will not accept any leniency in this case. It’s about Zubeen da,” one protester said.
Another, identifying himself as a member of the Zubeen Garg Fan Club, demanded Narain’s immediate arrest to prevent potential tampering with evidence.
The press conference was initially scheduled at the Gauhati Press Club but was moved to Narain’s office after police reportedly denied permission.
In a separate development, the Assam government has banned Shyamkanu Mahanta from organising any events in the state.
ALSO READ: Assam govt bars Syamkanu Mahanta from organising events in state
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the state will not provide financial grants, advertisements, or sponsorships for any event associated with Mahanta, and will also urge the Centre to withhold support.
Over 60 police complaints have been filed across Assam against Mahanta and others in connection with Garg’s death, officially recorded as drowning by the Singapore General Hospital.
Mahanta is the younger brother of former DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, now Chief Information Commissioner of Assam, and Nani Gopal Mahanta, former Education Advisor to the Chief Minister and current Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University.
