‘We want the truth’: Friends, family react to Himanta’s Zubeen Garg murder claim

Guwahati: Zubeen Garg’s close friends are in deep shock following chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s public declaration on Monday that the legendary singer was murdered in Singapore, rather than dying accidentally.

While Zubeen’s family has consistently called for the truth behind his death to be revealed, the CM’s statement has sparked political reactions, with Congress party demanding answers about how and why the incident happened.Zubeen’s friend and fellow artist, Manas Robin, expressed shock, saying he could never have imagined that someone from Assam would murder him. However, Robin acknowledged that there may be some truth in the CM’s statement, given the sensitivity of the matter.

Zubeen’s wife, Garima, has been insisting from the beginning that she needs to know the truth about what happened on that day in Singaporean waters during Zubeen’s demise.“The timing of the CM’s statement suggests he is not lying. After speaking openly to the public and calling it a murder, there must be some truth in it,” Robin said on Monday. He added that if it turns out not to be true, the people of Assam will not forgive.

“We expect the maximum punishment for the culprits if it was a murder,” he demanded.“As the home minister and chief minister, he (Sarma) may have access to evidence and that’s why he affirmed it was a murder. We are seeking justice — whether it was a murder, conspiracy, or accident,” Robin said, emphasising that the truth must be revealed.For Zubeen’s wife, understanding what happened to him on the day of his death and why he was neglected is crucial.

Despite numerous videos surfacing showing Zubeen swimming in Singapore before his demise, Garima had said the truth is more important than the visuals.“We need the truth. If there was any criminal intent behind his death, the culprits must be punished,” she had said.Zubeen’s uncle, Manoj Borthakur, expressed suspicion that there was a planned conspiracy, which is why Zubeen, who was not in good health at the time, was encouraged to go to Singapore.

“Was it a long-planned conspiracy? We want to know,” he said.Meanwhile, Congress party has organised justice rallies for Zubeen across Assam. State PCC president Gaurav Gogoi criticised CM Sarma “for failing to reveal the truth about Zubeen Garg’s death. Now he (Sarma) claims it was a murder, but he hasn’t told the public how or why it happened,” Gogoi said.