The cause of death of Assamese singer Zubeen Garg has been officially confirmed as ‘drowning’, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed in a press conference on Sunday. According to reports, Garg’s death certificate was issued by the Singapore government after a post-mortem was conducted following his tragic demise on Friday.
Zubeen’s death certificate revealed
“The Singapore High Commission sent the death certificate of Zubeen Garg, and they mentioned the cause of death is drowning. But this is not a post-mortem report. The post-mortem report is different, and the death certificate is different. We will send the documents to CID. The Chief Secretary of the Assam Government is contacting the Singapore Ambassador to get the post-mortem report as soon as possible,” Himanta said while talking to the media.“He was immediately given CPR before being rushed to Singapore General Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was declared deceased in the ICU around 2:30 PM IST,” the statement added.Garg was in Singapore for the Northeast India Festival. After his demise, the festival organisers issued a statement, saying that Zubeen Garg suffered breathing difficulties during scuba diving.
Zubeen’s funeral prep
As for the final journey of the singer, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the final rites of the singer will be held at Kamarkuchi village on September 23 at around 8 am.While talking to the media, CM Himanta Sarma said, “We will carry the mortal remains of Zubeen Garg from Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex at around 8 am on September 23 to the location of Kamarkuchi, where the last rites will be conducted. A state funeral will be held on September 23.”The decision to cremate Zubeen at Kamarkuchi NC village was taken during a cabinet meeting, considering the family’s wish that his last rites be performed at a place in or around Guwahati, Sarma added.
Govt to respect family’s wishes
According to PTI, there were also demands from the people of the Upper Assam town of Jorhat, where the singer had spent his formative years, that he be cremated there, he said and added, ”We discussed both the proposals. Zubeen does not belong to the government and so his family’s choice should be given priority.”The mortal remains of the singer, who was regarded as one of the most beloved voices of Assam, are currently kept at the Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex (Sarusajai Stadium) in Guwahati. Elaborate security and crowd-management arrangements have been put in place by the state government to ensure a dignified farewell for the artist.
