Himanta Biswa Sarma; Zubeen Garg (File photos)
NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced that he will provide all future updates on the Zubeen Garg case and make all statements regarding the singer’s death only through Facebook Live to prevent “miscommunication.”The Assamese cultural icon, 52-year-old Zubeen Garg, passed away on September 19 in Singapore, where he had travelled to participate in the North East India Festival. In response, the Assam government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate his death and, separately, appointed a one-member judicial commission on Friday to examine the “facts and circumstances” surrounding his demise.“When I address the press, selected portions are often cut and taken. It may create unnecessary tension among the public,” Sarma told reporters. “If there is anything to be said regarding Garg’s death and investigation, I will say it only on Facebook Live. In the complex environment of the state, communication with the public should also be direct.” The CM assured that he would address all questions from journalists, but responses will be given only on the social media platform, allowing the public to see an “unedited” version. Garg died under mysterious circumstances while swimming in Singapore. The Assam Police CID, which is probing the case, has so far arrested his manager Siddharth Sharma, festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, and two members of Garg’s band—Shekhar Jyoti Goswami and Amrit Prabha Mahanta.In a shocking allegation, Goswami claimed that Sharma and Shyamkanu Mahanta had “poisoned” Garg in Singapore.More than 60 FIRs have been filed across Assam against nearly 10 people, including the festival organiser, manager, and the two band members, and others.
