Zubeen Garg to be cremated today with full state honours post second autopsy

On Monday, Guwahati witnessed an outpouring of grief as lakhs of fans gathered at the Sarusajai stadium to pay their final respects to Zubeen Garg. The iconic Assamese singer, who tragically passed away on September 19 in Singapore while swimming, was brought back home, triggering widespread mourning across the state.

Tributes and condolence pour in

The 52-year-old singer's remains were displayed in a glass casket, adorned with a traditional Assamese gamosa. Fans, some having journeyed from distant parts of Assam, waited for hours to bid farewell to the star who had shaped a generation of music in the region. The atmosphere was charged with emotion as Garg's family, close relatives, and even his four pet dogs remained present at the stadium.

Distinguished guests, including Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, singer Papon, and a representative of the King of Bhutan, attended to offer their respects.

Investigation into Zubeen’s death

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a second post-mortem at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday, overseen by doctors from AIIMS-Guwahati, to investigate any potential foul play. Singaporean authorities had previously performed an autopsy, officially attributing the death to drowning, before releasing the body to Garg's family.

Final rites update

Zubeen Garg's final procession will commence at 7:30 AM Tuesday from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, leading to his cremation in Kamarkuchi, Sonapur. The state will honor him with a gun salute and pallbearers from the Assam Police.

In observance of the cremation, all educational institutions across Assam will be closed, along with government offices in the Kamrup (Metropolitan) district. The Chief Minister also mentioned that Garg's ashes would be immersed in Jorhat, honoring the wishes of the local community where he grew up.

Zubeen’s sudden death

Renowned Assamese singer Zubeen Garg passed away at 52 in a scuba diving accident in Singapore, shocking fans and fellow musicians alike. He was set to perform at the North East India Festival, a celebration of the region's culture and music, on September 20. Garg's death occurred just a day before his scheduled performance, leaving a void in the music industry.