Baksa, Oct 16: The Assam government on Wednesday suspended mobile internet services across Baksa district after violent protests erupted over the housing of five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case at the district jail.
Officials said the suspension was necessary to maintain peace and law and order as tensions flared outside the Baksa District Jail, where hundreds of protesters gathered demanding that two of the accused festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma be presented before the public.
The situation quickly turned violent when the mob resorted to stone-pelting, injuring a female police officer and damaging several vehicles in the police convoy. Security forces had to use batons to disperse the crowd, and multiple protesters were detained for unlawful assembly.
In response to the escalating unrest, District Magistrate Gautam Das issued an order imposing prohibitory measures under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The order restricts all forms of public gatherings, rallies, demonstrations, and processions within a 500-metre radius of the Baksa District Jail.
The directive also prohibits the carrying of weapons, including lathis, daggers, spears, and swords, as well as the throwing of stones or inflammable materials such as firecrackers.
The order stated that the restrictions were imposed due to the “apprehension of breach of public peace and tranquillity” near the jail premises and warned that violations would invite strict legal action under applicable laws. The measures took immediate effect and will remain in force until further notice.
Meanwhile, Assam Police has cancelled all types of leaves for its personnel across the district, except for emergency medical cases, to ensure adequate deployment and restore calm.
The protests erupted after the five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case were transferred to the Baksa District Jail under heavy security. The late singer’s followers have demanded transparency and swift justice in the ongoing investigation into his untimely demise, which has triggered widespread emotions across Assam.