Guwahati: Assam Police on Wednesday resorted to lathi-charge to control a mob that hurled stones at vehicles carrying five accused in the death case of cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
The convoy was heading to Baksa Central Jail in Mussalpur after the accused were remanded to judicial custody.
The protesters, who had gathered outside the jail, attempted to block the vehicles and demanded that the accused be handed over to the public to ensure “justice for Zubeen.”
Several people, including a policewoman, were injured, and vehicle windows were smashed. Journalists covering the protest were also hit by stones, a senior police officer said.
Despite repeated warnings, the crowd pressed forward, prompting the police to use lathi-charge to disperse the mob.
Tension continued in the area, although the protesters eventually moved back.
Security around the jail was significantly heightened, with senior officers stationed on-site.
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Earlier in the day, the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate remanded the five accused—NEIF chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya—to judicial custody after their police remand ended.
Concerned for their safety, the court ordered that they be lodged in a jail with fewer inmates.
Consequently, the authorities shifted them to Baksa Jail, inaugurated just two months ago and currently empty.
Zubeen Garg, a renowned singer from Assam, tragically died in Singapore while swimming in the sea on September 19.
