Massive protests turned violent in Assam's Baksa district on October 15 over the death of singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
Garg's fans clashed with local police as the accused in his case were being transported to the district prison.
Dozens, if not hundreds, started pelting stones at a police convoy. The protesters even blocked the entrance, after which cops resorted to a baton charge. Reports say some protesters even attempted to storm the prison complex.
Assam Police resorted to lathi-charge and fired teargas shells to disperse an agitated mob that attacked and set ablaze some vehicles and hurled stones.
Some even demanded that the accused be handed over to the public to ensure "justice for Zubeen".
Zubeen Garg's fans vs police
Although the convoy managed to enter the jail premises, the protesters scuffled with the policemen deployed at the gates as they attempted to breach the cordon, the officer said.
Despite the requests of the policemen to the protesters to move back, they kept pressing forward, following which the law enforcers resorted to lathi-charge to control the situation, he said.
The situation, however, turned worse after a while, with the protesters setting ablaze some vehicles, including those belonging to the police department and television channels, with the law enforcers firing tear gas shells to bring the situation under control.
Several people, including police personnel, journalists and local residents were injured and glass panes of vehicles were smashed, a senior officer said.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed under Section 163 of BNSS in Mushalpur town and adjoining areas of the jail, while internet and mobile data services have been suspended in the entire Baksa district till further orders, District Commissioner Gautam Das said.
52-year-old Garg died by drowning in Singapore, triggering a massive outpouring of grief among millions of his fans in Assam, where he enjoyed a cult-like status.
His death brought the state of over 30 million people to a standstill, with businesses shuttering and the government suspending all non-emergency services.
