Guwahati: Police on Tuesday detained several Raijor Dal and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) activists during a demonstration near the Assam Secretariat in Dispur, where protesters were demanding justice over the death of singer Zubeen Garg.
Security personnel intervened before demonstrators could form a human chain along the secretariat perimeter, taking several protesters into custody in waiting buses.
Those detained included Raijor Dal leaders Vedanta Laskar and Rakesh Chakraborty, alongside KMSS general secretary Bidyut Saikia.
The demonstration follows recent bail orders granted to key accused in the case, which sparked fresh outcry from civil society groups over the direction of the investigation.
Criticising the heavy security deployment, activist Gyanashree Bora questioned the state’s priorities. “In a democracy, authorities deploy massive force to stop a peaceful human chain, yet the response to Zubeen Garg’s death was weak. If the SIT had conducted a thorough probe, we would not be on the streets today,” Bora said.
Raijor Dal leader Rakesh Chakraborty challenged the integrity of the prosecution’s charge sheet. “Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told the Assembly that one person killed Garg and four others assisted. Yet, the accused are receiving bail one after another. The Chief Minister must explain what went wrong with the charge sheet,” Chakraborty said.
While being taken into custody, KMSS leader Bidyut Saikia also questioned the state government and alleged political links to the incident.
Despite the detentions, organisers said the agitation would continue. Artist Marshall Baruah said Tuesday’s demonstration marked the beginning of a campaign seeking justice for Garg.