Guwahati, September 21 — The mortal remains of popular Assamese singer Zubeen Garg arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati from Delhi on Sunday morning, with thousands of fans lining the streets to pay their last respects as the convoy heads to his Kahilipara residence, according to details received by The Chenab Times.
The flight carrying the body landed at 7 a.m., following its departure from New Delhi at 4:30 a.m. The casket was removed from the luggage section and placed near the runway, where Garg’s wife, Garima Saikia Garg, offered floral tributes and draped an Assamese ‘gamosa’ over it before breaking down in tears, as reported by PTI. The coffin, adorned with marigolds, jasmine and additional ‘gamosas’, was then loaded into a flower-decked ambulance, which exited the airport via the VIP gate accompanied by Ms. Garima and senior state officials.
Outside the airport, a large crowd gathered, singing Garg’s songs and chanting ‘Jai Zubeen da’ as the convoy proceeded slowly through heavy traffic over the 25-km route. Mourners from across Assam, including people of all ages, showered flowers on the ambulance and held cut-outs of the singer along with ‘gamosas’ bearing the words ‘Z G (Zubeen Garg) Forever’. Many wailed, “Why Zubeen da, why did you have to leave us so soon,” while holding up mobile phones to record the procession.
Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh and Guwahati Police Commissioner Parthasarathi Mahanta walked ahead of the ambulance to manage the crowd. The convoy included Garg’s favorite open jeep, featuring his portrait and carrying his team of musicians. The Assam government has declared a three-day state mourning period in honor of the singer, who died on Saturday in Singapore while swimming without a life jacket.
Earlier, the body arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi around midnight on Saturday. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received it there, accompanied by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and other officials, before it was flown on a regular commercial flight due to the casket’s size preventing charter accommodation.
Upon reaching Kahilipara, the remains will be placed at Garg’s residence for about one-and-a-half hours for family members, including his 85-year-old father, to pay respects privately. Media and the public have been barred from the street during this time at the family’s request. The body will then move to Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex, where it will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for public homage. Crowds began gathering at the venue since Saturday night.
The state Cabinet will meet Sunday evening to finalize details of the last rites, including the cremation site. The government has also announced an inquiry into the circumstances of Garg’s death. Garg, known for over 38,000 songs in 40 languages and dialects across three decades, leaves behind a legacy in Assamese music and culture.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
