Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi has come down heavily on the Assam government for its handling of the recent violence outside Baksa District Jail. The unrest followed the transfer of five accused in the mysterious death of Assam’s beloved singer Zubeen Garg, which has triggered widespread public outrage across the state.
Akhil Gogoi said that the state government’s decision to shift the accused to Baksa, a remote district under the Bodoland Territorial Area, was a deliberate move. He claimed that the government believed that keeping the accused away from Guwahati Central Jail would prevent public attention and protests. “The government thought there would be no Zubeen fans in BTAD and that the accused could be kept quietly in a new jail with no other inmates. But today, thousands of people came out demanding justice,” Gogoi remarked.
He lashed out at the authorities for calling protesters unruly, saying that people had every right to demand a fair investigation into the death of Zubeen Garg. “I cannot understand why anyone would insult the people of Assam—those who are only asking for justice. These accused had been absconding for days, and only appeared when they were finally caught. The anger of the people is genuine, and it is being fueled by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,” Gogoi said. 
The Raijor Dal chief accused the Chief Minister of politicizing the issue, claiming that Himanta Biswa Sarma was trying to protect Shyamkanu Mahanta instead of ensuring a transparent investigation. “Today, he accused the opposition of doing politics over Zubeen Garg’s death, but the people of Assam can see clearly who is playing politics. The Chief Minister is standing with the accused, not with the people,” Gogoi said sharply.
Akhil Gogoi also condemned the police action during the protests in Baksa, where several people were injured. He alleged that the Additional Superintendent of Police, Gitartha Dev Sarma, ordered a lathi charge on peaceful demonstrators. “Those protesters were emotional but peaceful. The police resorted to unnecessary force. The officer responsible should be suspended immediately,” Gogoi demanded.
He further alleged that the government’s main priority was not justice for Zubeen Garg but the protection of influential individuals. “The people of Assam are mourning. They are angry, but their anger comes from betrayal. The government should listen to the people instead of shielding the powerful,” he added.
