Bruised Bangalore limps back to normalcy

Bangalore, April 14 (IANS) A day after violence and police firing marred the tearful funeral of Kannada thespian Rajkumar, India's silicon hub limped back to normalcy Friday.

Though government offices, courts, banks and colleges are shut for the day on account of the birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar, architect of the Indian constitution, and Good Friday, it is business as usual for shops and private companies.

With public transport and private vehicles back on roads, people have started commuting after staying put at home Thursday due to public holiday declared as part of the two-day mourning and the spate of violent incidents that claimed eight lives.

"The situation is under control. Though the city is back to normal, we are maintaining vigil at all important places, especially at Kanteerava film studio, where Rajkumar was laid to rest, as we expect hundreds of his fans to throng the burial place," a top police official told IANS.

Agitated fans of the Kannada icon went on a rampage Thursday, attacking police with stones and sticks and damaging public property by setting five buses and 10 private vehicles on fire after they failed to have a glimpse of their "Annavaru" (elder brother) at the Kanteerava sports stadium in the heart of the city.

The police was forced to open fire outside the Kanteerava studio even as the last rites were underway when thousands of fans attempted to breach the security cordon and enter the premises to witness the funeral.

"We have deployed adequate forces in and around the city to monitor the situation. With majority of the fans who had come from all parts of the state returning, we hope the city will remain peaceful, with law and order under control," the official said.