Thousands rush to pay last tributes to Assam's cultural icon Zubeen Garg

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said at least 54 FIRs have been filed across the state seeking actions against those who had taken Zubeen to Singapore.

Guwahati: Many streets here, which remained deserted since Friday, turned into a sea of humanity as the mortal remains of Assam's star singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg reached on Sunday morning from Singapore, where he died suddenly at the age of 52. 

Thousands lined the streets from the airport, showered flowers and the traditional gamosas, many sang Zubeen's popular musical numbers and cried loud in public as the flower-decked ambulance carrying his mortal remains crawled towards his home from the airport. His wife, Garima, who received the body at the airport, hugged the coffin and broke down. Most staff at the airport too were seen breaking down, many crying and shouting Jai Zubeen da...(hail Zubeen brother...).

Garg, who remained a household name for nearly four decades for his music, songs, films and helpful nature, died on Friday afternoon while reportedly swimming in a sea in Singapore.

In his death certificate issued on Sunday, Singapore government cited drowning as the cause of his death. His post-motem report was yet to come. 

Garg was in Singapore to attend the Northeast Festival, organised by a firm run by Shyamkanu Mahanta, an Assamese entrepreneur.

After his death, Mahanta said he was informed that Garg was out for scuba diving but his team was not aware of it. 

Zubeen's favourite vehicle, an open jeep, which he often used to travel to venues of his cultural events, was also part of the convoy with a huge portrait placed in front. His team of musicians were in the vehicle.

The body was first taken to his home at Kahilipara in the city, following which it was taken to Sarusajai sports complex in the city's outskirts, to allow his fans to pay last tributes to their hero. "O Zubeen da.." (hey Zubeen brother) was the frequent chant from the crowds who gathered in and around the sports complex even braving heavy showers in the afternoon. Police and paramilitary forces struggled to control the crowd while his wife, Garima appealed to them to maintain peace. 

"In his lifetime, you all showered so much love and affection and because of that he could do so much work in the past 30 to 35 years, which someone can't do even in 100 years," she said while appealing to the crowd to maintain peace. Nearly 10 lakh people gathered on Sunday and the sports complex will be kept open for his fans on Monday and Tuesday too.  

Since 1992, Zubeen had sung nearly 38,000 songs in at least 40 languages, although most of his songs were in Assamese, Hindi and Bengali. He wrote lyrics, composed music, made cinema and could play several instruments. In 2006, he gained popularity in the Hindi film industry with his song Ya Ali... in the movie Gangster. But Zubeen chose not to settle in Mumbai and came back to work among the people in Assam. 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday evening said Garg's last rites will be performed on Tuesday at Sonapur in the outskirts of Guwahati, as per wishes of his family. 

CM Sarma told reporters that at least 54 FIRs have been filed at different police stations across the state seeking actions against those who had taken Zubeen to Singapore.

"Most of the charges are against Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen's manager Siddhartha Sarma. We have clubbed the cases and have instructed the CID to carry out the investigation. Singapore police are also investigating and we will also interrogate the two accused to ascertain if there was any conspiracy behind the incident," Sarma said.