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Guwahati, Oct 15 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will visit Assam on October 17 to pay tribute to the state’s renowned singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg, the Congress party said in an official statement on Wednesday.
According to the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Gandhi will reach Guwahati and visit Sonapur on the outskirts of the city, where Zubeen Garg is buried.
He is expected to lay a wreath at the spot and later visit the late singer’s residence to meet the bereaved family and express his condolences.
The APCC media department, which is coordinating the yatra, said that necessary arrangements have been made to conduct the event in a dignified and orderly manner.
The party said Gandhi’s visit reflects the deep respect and emotional bond that people across Assam share with Zubeen Garg.
Meanwhile, Gaurav Gogoi expressed strong concern over the “unprecedented and unfortunate” scenes that took place outside the Baksa district jail, urged people to maintain peace and pointed out lapses in law enforcement.
In a statement, Gogoi said the people of Assam are united in demanding justice for late singer Zubeen Garg and stressed the need for a “thorough and impartial investigation” into his death.
Appealing to citizens to maintain calm and patience in these sensitive times, he said, “Justice can be achieved only through the legal process. Taking law into one’s own hands will not serve that purpose.”
The APCC chief blamed both the police and the home department for not anticipating the unrest.
“It was the responsibility of the law enforcement machinery to assess the situation and take preventive measures. Their failure contributed to what we saw today,” Gogoi said.
Expressing concern over reports of journalists being seriously injured while covering the incident, he condemned the setting on fire of a vehicle belonging to a regional media house.
He said attacks on media personnel were “completely unacceptable” and urged authorities to ensure their safety. Gogoi called on all stakeholders to act responsibly and let the law take its course and stressed that violence would only deepen the crisis.
Notably, violent protests broke out outside Baksa district jail today after five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case were brought to the jail under heavy police security. In view of the rising tension, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) to prevent further unrest.
–IANS
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