Zubeen Garg went for swimming without life jacket, lifeguards had repeatedly warned him: Assam CM
FIR lodged against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and singer's manager Siddhartha Sharma
PTC Web Desk: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday confirmed that renowned singer Zubeen Garg died in Singapore after going swimming without a life jacket during a yacht trip. According to Sarma, lifeguards had repeatedly asked Zubeen Garg to wear the safety gear, but he removed it shortly after, claiming it was too big and made swimming difficult.
The Assam Chief Minister revealed that Zubeen Garg was among 18 persons on the yacht. When he was later found floating in the sea, lifeguards pulled him out, administered CPR, and rushed him to Singapore General Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Sarma said the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, Shilpak Ambule, informed him that Garg was advised multiple times by crew and guards to wear the life jacket. An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday, and efforts were being made to bring his mortal remains to Assam in the evening.
The Assam CM said Singapore authorities were questioning those who accompanied the singer. The list of 11 persons includes yacht booker Abhimanyu Talukdar from the Assamese community in Singapore, four members of Garg’s team, and two crew members. Since all are Indian citizens, Assam authorities will approach the Union Home Ministry for permission to question them.
Sarma further confirmed that Garg’s mortal remains will be kept at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati for fans and the public to pay their last respects. Final rites will be decided in consultation with the singer’s family and people of the state.
Accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the CM also visited Garg’s residence in Kahilipara to offer condolences.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered at the Morigaon police station against North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Garg’s manager Siddhartha Sharma. Sarma said the Assam Police would conduct a detailed probe into the circumstances leading to the singer’s death, including reports that Garg attended a party the night before the incident.
“People of Assam deserve to know what happened to their icon in his final moments,” the CM said.