Guwahati: Leaders of the Raijor Dal and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti were among more than 150 people detained on Tuesday as police broke up a planned human chain outside the Assam secretariat at Janata Bhawan in Dispur, demanding a transparent investigation into the death of singer Zubeen Garg.
The agitation was driven by the Raijor Dal, led by its president and MLA Akhil Gogoi, along with the KMSS and the Chatra Mukti Sangram Samiti. Security forces took positions around the secretariat from the morning.
Among those detained were KMSS general secretary Bidyut Saikia, Raijor Dal leaders Vedanta Laskar and Rakesh Chakraborty, and activist Gyanashree Bora.
As officials led Saikia away, he turned his questions on the Chief Minister and named a Union minister, alleging an association with the singer's death. Chakraborty questioned the charge sheet, saying one accused after another was getting bail.
The protest came after the Gauhati High Court granted bail to two accused, including the singer's cousin Sandipan Garg and band member Amritprabha Mahanta. On Monday, Sandipan Garg walked out of jail after the High Court granted him bail.
Protesters said the case must not be sidelined amid the state's festive season and called for transparency. "The protests have just begun and will continue indefinitely until Zubeen Da gets justice," said visual artist Marshall Baruah.
Responding to the public pressure, the state government said it will challenge the High Court's bail rulings in the Supreme Court.
The SIT is investigating the singer's death. On Monday, his wife Garima Saikia Garg joined friends and supporters at a protest at Zubeen Kshetra in Sonapur, calling for speedy justice.