Kohima: A tense situation broke out at The Assam Kaziranga University in Jorhat after a Naga student allegedly made remarks considered disrespectful toward late Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg.
The incident occurred on Saturday night and briefly stirred unrest among students before university authorities stepped in to restore calm.
The student, identified as Liseri S. Sangtam, a B.Tech Civil Engineering student, reportedly voiced the remarks out of frustration over transportation issues upon returning to his hostel.
A video of the outburst soon spread on social media, triggering strong reactions from Assamese students and sections of the public at a time when the region is still mourning Garg’s death in Singapore.
Following the circulation of the video, a group of students and outsiders gathered near Hunaru Hostel inside the university premises on Saturday evening. Tension escalated between 8:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. before it was brought under control by the Superintendent of Police, Additional SP, ADC, Circle Officer, and OIC, Pulibor, Jorhat. Authorities confirmed that no casualties or serious injuries occurred.
On Sunday morning, Nagaland’s Minister for Tourism and Higher & Technical Education, Temjen Imna Along, assured the safety of students. He said he was in close coordination with Assam authorities, including Jorhat MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Assam Minister Piyush Hazarika, district officials, as well as Nagaland’s DC and SP Mokokchung and the DGP.
The minister informed that the situation is now normal and the Naga student is in a safe house in Jorhat. He also assured that students from Nagaland at Kaziranga University are safe.
He thanked the Assam government and the university management for their swift action, while urging students from Nagaland to exercise restraint and sensitivity on social media.
“Our boy should not have spoken such words to hurt the sentiments of the people of Assam. I too am a personal fan of Zubeen Garg, who has made not only Assam but also the Northeast and India proud,” he said.
The minister appealed to students to avoid emotional outbursts online and remain sensitive to the sentiments of local communities.
Kaziranga University authorities, in their incident report, confirmed the deployment of additional police personnel at the university gates and hostel premises as a precautionary measure. They also noted that Sangtam has issued a public apology to the university community.
In a written statement addressed to the people of Assam, Sangtam expressed remorse.
“I am apologetic about my actions and conduct that offended the sentiments of all citizens of Assam. I had no intention of causing disrespect to the late beloved Zubeen Garg. However, I am sorry to all communities of Assam. My sincere apologies to the late beloved Zubeen Garg and his fans. I will not repeat such actions again and seek forgiveness from you and all communities of Assam,” the student wrote.
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