In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the music world, authorities have apprehended two pivotal figures linked to the untimely demise of iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. Shyamkanu Mahanta, the chief organizer of the North East India Festival (NEIF), and Siddhartha Sharma, Garg's longtime manager, were taken into custody late Tuesday, marking a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the artist's drowning off Singapore's coast.

Mahanta, who spearheaded the high-profile NEIF event meant to showcase Northeast India's vibrant culture, was nabbed moments after touching down at Delhi's bustling Indira Gandhi International Airport. Fresh off a flight from Singapore, where the festival had unfolded just weeks prior, he was swiftly detained by a team of plainclothes officers amid heightened security. Meanwhile, Sharma, known for his behind-the-scenes orchestration of Garg's whirlwind tours and performances, was hauled in from a upscale apartment in Gurugram, Haryana, following a tip-off that placed him in hiding.

The arrests cap a frantic week for Assam Police, who airlifted the suspects to Guwahati under tight wraps early Wednesday morning. Speaking exclusively to PTI, a senior official revealed that the duo is now under intense interrogation at a secure facility, with forensic teams poring over digital footprints, travel logs, and witness testimonies to unravel the circumstances surrounding Garg's heartbreaking end on September 19.

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The 51-year-old Garg, a household name across India for his soul-stirring melodies blending Assamese folk with Bollywood flair, was found unresponsive in the turquoise waters near Sentosa Island during what was billed as a triumphant close to the NEIF celebrations. Initial reports pointed to an accidental drowning, possibly exacerbated by strong currents and post-performance fatigue, but whispers of foul play—fueled by Garg's vocal activism on regional issues—prompted swift action from the Assam government.

In response, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma greenlit the formation of a crack 10-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) last week, placing the formidable Special DGP M P Gupta at its helm. The elite squad wasted no time, dispatching summons to over a dozen individuals, including Mahanta, Sharma, key members of the Singapore Assam Association, and festival attendees who jetted in from across the globe. The probe's scope has widened to scrutinize event logistics, security lapses, and any off-the-record altercations that might have marred the star-studded affair.

Adding to the intrigue, Sarma had previously announced a red-alert 'lookout notice' via Interpol, effectively pinning Mahanta and Sharma in the crosshairs and mandating their appearance before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) by October 6. "No stone will be left unturned; justice for Zubeen is paramount," the CM declared in a fiery address to the state assembly, vowing to shield Northeast talents from such shadows.

Fans, still reeling from the loss of a voice that defined generations, have flooded social media with tributes and demands for transparency. Hashtags like #JusticeForZubeen and #NEIFMystery are trending, while prominent figures from the industry, including Bollywood contemporaries, have rallied for a thorough autopsy review. As the SIT delves deeper, questions linger: Was it a tragic mishap, or does this glittering festival hide darker undercurrents? The coming days promise revelations that could redefine Garg's enduring legacy.

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