India, Sept. 24 -- The Assam government on Wednesday banned Northeast India Festival (NEIF) chief organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta from organising functions or festivals in the state, days after singer Zubeen Garg died while he was in Singapore for the event.

Multiple complaints were filed against Mahanta across Assam as Garg's fans and followers raised questions about the death. On September 21, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a case has been registered against Mahanta and others over the death. He directed the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the matter. People aware of the matter said the CID may question Mahanta, who is currently in Delhi.

Sarma announced the ban on Mahanta in a post on X. "The state government...