Guwahati: Assam government has decided to observe a ‘state mourning day’ on Saturday in respect of the demise of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday.

Abe, 67, died in hospital almost five-and-a-half hours after he was shot while making an election campaign speech in Nara city. Police arrested Tetsuya Yamagami, a former member of Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, who shot the former premier.

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted: “The tragic demise of ex-Japan PM Hon’ble #ShinzoAbe is deeply painful. He had immensely contributed to strengthening Indo-Japan relationship.”

As per the official order, the national flag would remain half-mast and there would be no official entertainment on Saturday.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi describing him as a global statesman who made an immense contribution to elevating bilateral relations, remembered the Japanese former PM.

In 2019, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shinzo Abe of Japan were scheduled to meet in Guwahati, days after the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed by Parliament.

The protesters ripped off and burnt down hoardings near the secretariat in Assam’s capital on the first day of major protests when the Bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha. Abe subsequently postponed his visit until further notice.