The Assam Police on Wednesday faced a challenging situation outside Baksa District Jail as violent clashes erupted following the transfer of five accused in the mysterious death of singer Zubeen Garg. At least 21 people, including police personnel, journalists, and civilians, were reported injured in the unrest that quickly spiraled out of control.
Addressing the media outside the jail, Assam Director General of Police (DGP) Harmeet Singh described the incident as “sad and heartbreaking.” He urged the public to trust the police and the Special Investigation Team (SIT) handling the case. “We urge everyone to have faith in us. Our SIT is working properly, and the investigation will be carried out thoroughly,” Singh said. He emphasized that law and order must be maintained and that justice would be served through legal procedures, not through violence.
The unrest followed the transfer of Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma, and three others, including Sandeepan Garg and two personal security officers, to Baksa District Jail. All five were remanded to judicial custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kamrup Metro District. Angered locals demanding justice for Zubeen Garg gathered outside the jail, and scuffles broke out between protesters and police. Stone-pelting, pushing, and shoving led to damage of police vehicles and a private satellite channel’s van. One female police officer was injured, and a police vehicle was set on fire. 
Police had to use tear gas, baton charges, and blank firing to regain control. Multiple contingents, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed, with reinforcements arriving from Guwahati, Nalbari, Barpeta, and Darrang districts. To prevent further unrest, District Magistrate Gautam Das issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 BNSS for Mushalpur town and areas surrounding the jail.
DGP Singh also acknowledged the grief of Zubeen Garg’s fans and the public. “Zubeen Garg was such an immense personality. We are all heartbroken at his demise. Everyone wants justice, but there is a way to get justice, and that is through law and order. Misguided and motivated elements should not take law and order into their own hands,” he said.
