GUWAHATI, Sept 22: The sudden death of Assam’s celebrated singer Zubeen Garg has left fans across the state and country in shock. Garg passed away on September 19 in Singapore following a scuba diving accident, according to organizers of the Northeast India Festival, where he was participating.
His body was flown to Guwahati via Delhi on Sunday morning, drawing thousands of grieving fans who lined up at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to pay their last respects.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that the Singapore High Commission shared Garg’s death certificate, listing the cause of death as “drowning.” He clarified that the certificate is not the same as a post-mortem report and announced that the state has requested the official post-mortem documents, which will be handed over to the CID upon receipt.
“We have received the death certificate from Singapore. It mentions drowning, but this is not the post-mortem. Both are different. Our Chief Secretary is coordinating with the Singapore Ambassador to obtain the post-mortem report at the earliest,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally called multiple times to oversee arrangements for Garg’s final journey and ensure smooth conduct of the rites.
According to reports, Garg experienced breathing difficulties during the scuba diving session. Despite receiving CPR on-site and later being rushed to Singapore General Hospital, doctors were unable to save him. He was declared dead around 2:30 pm IST on September 19.
The singer’s final rites will be held on September 23 in his native village of Kamarkuchi, with a state funeral. His mortal remains will be transported from the sports complex at 8 am. Fans and admirers will continue to have the opportunity to pay their last respects at the complex until then.