Guwahati man beaten to death during Dashami celebrations after Zubeen Garg song request; 6 detained

GUWAHATI: A 28-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by a group of youths during Dashami celebrations in the Bamunimaidam area of the city on Thursday night. The incident occurred near the Kalibari Jagriti Sangha Durga Puja pandal after the victim requested the organizers to play a song by the late Zubeen Garg.

Police from the Chandmari station have identified the deceased as Abhinash Rajak, a resident of the Bamunimaidam railway colony. His sister, Sarita Rajak, filed a complaint on Friday, prompting an investigation into the incident.


“We have registered a case and are actively investigating the matter,” said Junmoni Kalita, the officer-in-charge of Chandmari police station. “We have detained six members of the committee and are currently interrogating them,” Kalita added.

Kalita said a search is on for the accused individuals, M Shankar Kumar Rao, Ratul Borah, and Sujit Sarkar, who remain at large.

The incident has caused significant unrest in the city. According to Sarita Rajak, the attack occurred around 10:30 to 11:00pm after the idol immersion ritual. “During the celebrations, Abhinash requested the youths to play a song by the late Zubeen Garg, which reportedly angered them. Around 30 to 40 individuals then attacked him, even as he grew exhausted and pleaded for forgiveness,” she recounted.

Sarita added that after the initial assault, Abhinash attempted to leave in an e-rickshaw, but was pulled out and attacked again before being left near the Anil Borah Club in the colony area. A colony member found him and informed his family. Abhinash was taken to a private hospital in the Geetanagar area, where he was declared dead.

Abhinash’s body has been sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for autopsy.