Last rites of singer Zubeen Garg performed with full state honours

Lakhs of fans gathered in Assam on Tuesday to bid a tearful farewell to iconic singer Zubeen Garg whose last rites were held at a ground in Guwahati's Sonapur. Before cremation, mortal remains of the singer were taken to the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital for a second autopsy.

Thousands of fans followed Zubeen in his last journey from hospital to the cremation ground, where lakhs of people had come from different places to pay tribute to the legendary singer.

The Assam Police also gave a guard of honour and a 21-gun salute to the singer.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union ministers Kiren Rijiju and Sarbananda Sonowal paid floral tributes. Zubeen's sister Pami Borthakur lit the funeral pyre while people sang Zubeen's immortal song 'Mayabini Ratir Bukut' in unison. Sarma said, "The future generations will remember Zubeen as a stalwart of Assam's culture and his creations will inspire many more talented artists in the days to come."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolences were conveyed by Union minister Rijiju, while an official representative attended the funeral on behalf of the Arunachal Pradesh chief minister.