Popular singer Zubeen Garg, who won hearts across the country with songs like Ya Ali, passed away in a tragic scuba diving accident in Singapore on September 19. He was 52. The singer began the final journey home in Kahilipara from Guwahati airport on Sunday morning, with thousands of mourners pouring onto the streets to have a last glimpse of their favourite artiste.
Assam CM declared dry days
Zubeen’s mortal remains are kept at Sarusajai stadium in Guwahati, where fans are pouring in large numbers to pay respect. Assam CM Himanta Biswas declared state mourning and even announcedd dry days as a mark of respect.
His tweet read, “As a mark of respect to #BelovedZubeen and in line with the government`s decision to extend state mourning till the 23rd September, Government of Assam has declared DRY DAYS across the state on the 22nd and 23rd.”
As a mark of respect to #BelovedZubeen and in line with the government`s decision to extend state mourning till the 23rd September, Government of Assam has declared DRY DAYS across the state on the 22nd and 23rd. pic.twitter.com/CAu4SE6FCR
— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) September 22, 2025
A notice issued by the CM read, “…in pursuance of Government decision to extend the State Mourning till 23rd of September, 2025, the Governor of Assam is pleased to declare DRY DAYS under sub-rule (a) of rule 326 of the Assam Excise Rules, 2016 throughout the State of Assam on 22nd and 23rd day of September, 2025,” an official notification by the Excise Department stated.
“All kinds of licensed premises including IMFL/ Beer/ Country Spirit manufactories, Wholesale warehouses, IMFL/Beer/ Country spirit retail ‘OFF’/ ‘ON’, Club ‘ON’, Bars etc. shall remain closed on the aforesaid days and no liquor shall be sold or served on these Dry Days,” it added.
About Zubeen’s last rites
The last rites of Zubeen Garg will be conducted on Tuesday, September 23, at Kamarkuchi village, Sonapur. While addressing the media, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated, “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.”
He also spoke about Garg`s death certificate, which mentioned the cause of death as “drowning.”
“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,” he said.
Zubeen Garg was in Singapore for the Northeast India Festival. His mortal remains were flown to Delhi and later transported to Assam.
