Zubeen’s death: Violent protest erupts as accused brought to jail

Protests erupted outside Baksa Jail in Assam on Wednesday as the five accused in the Zubeen Garg death case were being brought to the prison. The Assam Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the agitated mob as protesters started hurling stones at vehicles carrying the five accused.

According to a senior police officer, a few people, including a policewoman, were injured and glass panes of vehicles were smashed, while some journalists covering the protest were also hit by stones.

He said a large number of protesters had gathered outside the prison in Mussalpur area. As the convoy of vehicles carrying the accused arrived, they started pelting stones on the vehicles, and even set some vehicles on fire.

Some of them even demanded that the accused be handed over to the public to ensure “justice for Zubeen”. Although the convoy managed to enter the jail premises, the protesters scuffled with the policemen deployed at the gates as they attempted to breach the cordon. As tension prevailed in the area, security was heightened in and around the jail premises.

Earlier in the day, the accused were remanded to judicial custody. The court, expressing concern for their safety, ruled that they should be sent to a jail where there were less prisoners. Accordingly, the authorities decided to shift them to Baksa Jail, which was inaugurated two months ago and has no prisoners so far, an official said.