Guwahati, April 13 (NationPress) The Northeast Frontier Railway has inaugurated a new cultural hub known as Bihutoli in Maligaon, designed for the celebration of Bihu and other significant cultural festivities, as announced by officials on Monday.

The Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, revealed that this venue has been named the “Zubeen Garg Railway Bihutoli” in a moving homage to the beloved Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, symbolizing the profound cultural connection and respect for the artist throughout Assam.

This Bihutoli has been equipped with modern amenities, including a permanent stage, dining facilities, a restroom complex, community gathering spaces, a boundary wall, and an all-weather ground.

The newly established venue is poised to host the annual Rongali Bihu celebrations organized by Pandu Bihu Sanmilani, Maligaon, from April 14 to 17. A Pre-Bihu opening ceremony was recently conducted at this newly created site.

The event was attended by Chetan Kumar Shrivastava, General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway, amidst traditional Bihu festivities, and saw enthusiastic participation from railway officials, local community members, and cultural aficionados.

Palmee Borthakur, Zubeen Garg's sister, also attended the event, expressing her family's heartfelt appreciation for the tribute to the iconic artist.

This initiative highlights the Northeast Frontier Railway’s dedication to celebrating regional heritage and honoring figures who have made impactful contributions to society. The naming of this Bihutoli serves as a testament to Zubeen Garg’s lasting influence, especially during the vibrant Bihu festival, which holds a cherished place in the hearts of the Assamese people.

Zubeen Garg tragically passed away on September 19 of last year while swimming near Lazarus Island in Singapore, just one day before a scheduled performance at the North East India Festival.

Following his death, a Special Investigation Team from the Assam Police’s Criminal Investigation Department conducted a thorough investigation and submitted a chargesheet in December. The chargesheet implicated seven individuals, including North East India Festival organizer Shyamkanu Mahanta, with four facing murder charges, intensifying the seriousness of the case.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma previously referred to the incident as a “plain and simple murder” during state Assembly discussions, emphasizing the government's position on the issue.

On the other hand, a concurrent investigation by the Singapore Police concluded there was no evidence of foul play in Garg’s death. Nonetheless, Assam authorities have stated that the findings from the foreign investigation will not affect the ongoing inquiry and trial in the state.

The case continues to attract significant public and political scrutiny, with the upcoming bail hearing expected to be a pivotal moment in the legal process.