Protesters attack vehicles as Zubeen Garg case accused moved to jail; police resort to lathi-charge | VIDEO

Mussalpur, Assam: Assam Police on Wednesday used lathi-charge to disperse a mob that hurled stones at vehicles carrying five accused in cultural icon Zubeen Garg’s death case, officials said.

A senior officer reported that a few people, including a policewoman, were injured, while vehicle glass panes were smashed. Some journalists covering the protests were also struck by stones.

Why did the protest erupt?

A large number of protesters gathered outside Baksa Central Jail in the Mussalpur area. As the convoy carrying the accused arrived to lodge them in the prison, the mob began pelting the vehicles with stones. Some demanded that the accused be handed over to the public to ensure “justice for Zubeen”.

Although the convoy entered the jail premises, scuffles broke out between protesters and police at the gates as some attempted to breach the cordon. Despite police requests to move back, the mob pressed forward, prompting law enforcement to resort to lathi-charge to regain control, the officer said.

Tension continued in the area as protesters moved back but remained nearby. Senior police officers were stationed in the area, and security has been heightened around the jail.

Who are the accused and where are they now?

Earlier in the day, the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate remanded North East India Festival (NEIF) chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta, singer’s manager Siddhartha Sharma, his cousin and police officer Sandipan Garg, and personal security officers Nandeswar Bora and Prabin Baishya to judicial custody after their police remand ended.

The court, citing safety concerns, directed that the accused be sent to a jail with fewer prisoners. Accordingly, all five were shifted to Baksa Jail at Mussalpur, inaugurated just two months ago, where there are still no other inmates, an official said.