Violence as police transfer accused in Zubeen’s death

Violence broke out outside a district jail in Assam on Wednesday during the transfer of five people arrested in connection with singer Zubeen Garg’s death, as an agitated mob took part in stone pelting and torched vehicles, prompting police to resort to baton charge and teargas shelling to control the situation, officials said.

- Utpal Parashar and Zia Haq

Several people, including security personnel and journalists, were injured in the violence outside the Baksa district jail, police said.

It was not immediately clear how many vehicles were set afire, but mediapersons at the site claimed three police vehicles and one belonging to a private TV channel were torched.

According to officers, around hundred people had gathered outside the jail to witness the transfer of the arrested accused. Police are yet to identify those responsible for the violence.

Authorities imposed prohibitory orders in Mushalpur town and the district jail, and indefinitely suspended internet and mobile data services across the district.

Police said that normalcy had been restored in areas near the jail by evening.