Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has urged the people of Assam to remain patient and trust the judicial system amid recent unrest in Baksa district, as tensions escalate in the BTR region. Speaking from Delhi, where he met with Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore’s acting High Commissioner Alice Cheng, Sarma emphasized that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Assam Police are diligently working to ensure swift and transparent justice.
“In a democracy like ours, only the judiciary can deliver justice. Law enforcement agencies are fulfilling their responsibilities by gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and taking necessary actions to present the case in court. We must allow this process to occur,” he said.
Condemning the violence that has unfolded, Sarma described it as “unfortunate and saddening.” He encouraged people to trust the judicial process, drawing parallels with past incidents. He noted that justice following Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination took nearly two years, and similarly in the cases of Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi, it was the judiciary that ultimately delivered justice.
Sarma voiced his concern about a “disturbing atmosphere” created by certain groups using the case of cultural icon Zubeen Garg to further personal interests. He warned that such actions could retrogress the state. “It saddens me to see fear and instability being fostered by self-serving individuals, threatening the peace and progress Assam has enjoyed over the past five years,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also criticized political forces allegedly exploiting public emotions, cautioning that they are inciting anger among Garg’s fans and the general populace. “Such actions are not in Assam’s best interest. They manipulate our youth’s sentiments and risk causing irreparable harm, similar to the unrest during the CAA protests,” he added.
Sarma reassured the public that justice would be served, stating, “I urge the people of Assam to trust the judiciary. I assure you that all individuals found guilty will face justice in court.”
His remarks followed violent clashes outside the Baksa District Jail in Mushalpur, where five individuals linked to Garg’s death were remanded to 14 days in judicial custody and transferred to a newly built central jail. In connection with this case, Sarma announced that a parallel investigation is also taking place in Singapore. He revealed that Singaporean authorities had requested the names of two Assam police officers who will visit for discussions regarding the investigation.
“The Ministry of External Affairs has informed Singapore that two Assam Police officials will soon travel there,” he said. He further noted that Singapore has extended full cooperation, allowing Indian officials to support the investigation.
Cheng addressed the international dimensions of the investigation, confirming that Singapore authorities are conducting their own inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Garg’s death. “On October 1, Singapore Police shared the autopsy report and preliminary findings with Indian authorities. Unfortunately, no further information is available at this time as the investigation is ongoing. I urge the people of Assam to remain patient,” she commented.
Sarma clarified that, legally, a joint investigation between India and Singapore is not permissible. “A joint investigation is never allowed under law. While we can exchange documents through formal channels, each country’s police must conduct independent investigations within their jurisdictions,” he explained.
In response to the protests, Baksa district administration has implemented prohibitions on gatherings, rallies, and demonstrations within a 500-meter radius of the district jail to maintain order.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/zubeen-garg-case-cm-urges-patience-as-baksa-erupts-over-accuseds-jail-shift-1594668
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Publish Date: 2025-10-15 18:48:00
