Guwahati, 23 Sept 

What began as a tribute to Assam’s beloved singer Zubeen Garg has spiralled into chaos, with some miscreants forcing shop closures, blocking roads, and even assaulting individuals. Across parts of the state, especially Guwahati and Upper Assam, mourning has turned into violence.

In Guwahati, some miscreants forced shops to shut, considering it a mark of respect to the late icon. However, this has begun to inconvenience thepublic.

“We are waiting for markets to reopen as we’re running out of groceries,” said Nilesh Gohain, a resident of Dibrugarh. Traders’ associations had called for shop closures across several districts in honour of Zubeen.

In Dibrugarh, shopkeeper Deepak Singh said he had kept his store closed since 19 September out of respect, though customers were calling in desperation. “Some youths were pressuring everyone to keep shutters down,” he added.

Reports of vandalism and even assault have emerged. “A shopkeeper was thrashed for trying to open his store,” said Shamit Saha of Guwahati’s Kalapahar, adding, “We all love Zubeen Da, but this violence is not the way.”

In Jorhat, protesters blocked National Highway 37 on Tuesday morning, demanding that Zubeen’s cremation take place in his hometown.

The blockade caused massive traffic snarls, leaving trucks, buses, and reportedly even an ambulance, stranded. Local organisations had urged the government to bring his body to Jorhat for public homage.

However, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that the singer’s body was not in a condition to endure the six-hour journey. However, the government, on the wishes of Garg’s family, decided on Kumarkuchi in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati to be his final resting place.

Thousands gathered for the funeral, humming Garg’s iconic song ‘Mayabini’ as he was laid to rest. To ensure peace, the government recorded the entire funeral procession from the Arjuna Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex in Sarusajai to Kumarkuchi and deployed security forces. 

The Jorhat Press Club condemned the highway blockade, stating that “true fans” would never resort to such actions. The club has called for a formal investigation into the disruptions during the state’s three-day mourning period.

- By Barnali Handique