Zubeen Garg to be cremated near Guwahati with full state honours; funeral set for September 23: CM Himanta Sarma

Singer Zubeen Garg will be cremated with full state honours on September 23 at a village near Guwahati, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday.

The decision to cremate the singer at Kamarkuchi NC village was taken during a cabinet meeting early this evening. According to reports, this decision was made, taking into consideration the family's wish that his last rites be performed at a place in or around Guwahati.


There were also demands from the people of the town of Jorhat, where the singer had spent his formative years, that he be cremated there, Sarma said at a press conference. ''We discussed both the proposals. Zubeen does not belong to the government and so his family's choice should be given priority,'' Sarma said, as reported by PTI.

Zubeen's cause of death revealed

Zubeen passed away in Singapore on Friday, in what was first reported as a scuba diving accident. Reports later stated that he died while swimming in the sea 'without a life jacket'.

The singer was rushed to a hospital, but was later declared dead. A post-mortem was conducted in Singapore before his body was handed over to Indian authorities.

Sarma also said that the Singapore government had issued the singer's death certificate, which states that he died due to 'drowning'.

''The Indian High Commission in Singapore has sent us the death certificate, and we have also requested that the postmortem report should be also sent to us at the earliest,'' Sarma added.

State declares four-day mourning

The state government had declared a three-day mourning till September 22, but it has been extended by another day for his cremation, the CM said.

The Assam CMO stated that there will be no official entertainment, ceremonial programs, or public celebrations during this period.

Thousands gather to big Zubeen farewell

Meanwhile, thousands of emotional fans gathered at Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex today to pay their last respects to Assam's popular singer Zubeen Garg, who died in Singapore on Friday.

The mortal remains of the late singer are currently kept at the Bhogesawar Baruah Sports Complex for his fans and well-wishers to pay their tributes before his funeral.