Rajkumar's death sparks attacks in Bangalore

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) The sudden death of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar Wednesday sparked a spate of violence, arson and attacks on public property in and around the city by his fans in an emotional frenzy.

Even as news of the thespian's demise spread like wildfire, chaos reigned on several streets, with thousands of Rajkumar's fans going berserk raising slogans, wielding batons and attacking signboards, streetlights and moving vehicles.

Admitting to sporadic violence and stone-throwing incidents in several parts of the city, police official Uday Shankar said efforts were being made to bring the situation under control by deploying an additional 15 platoons of police in busy thoroughfares and main junctions to control the mob.

"We are doing our best to manage the situation. Since Rajkumar's sudden death has led to a spontaneous reaction among millions of his fans, we are trying to handle them peacefully without using force. Though the situation is tense, it is under control," Shankar told IANS here.

As thousands of fans rushed to Sadashivnagar for a glimpse of Rajkumar's mortal remains, the police blocked the entry points leading to his house to prevent the volatile situation from going out of control.

As a result, hundreds of agitated fans resorted to protests, picketing and shouting slogans against the police. A number of private vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars and buses were stoned and stranded in the middle of main roads, bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill.

The city also witnessed traffic jams in several areas as fans headed to Rajkumar's residence and the Bangalore Palace grounds where the body was later shifted for public viewing.

When some public transport buses and private vehicles tried to defy the crowds and move on, they were set on fire.

The office of Microsoft Research India, the R&D facility of the global software major, which is about a kilometre from Rajkumar's residence, was not spared from the attacks by a unruly mob when there was some delay in shutting down its operations.

The firm's security guards prevented hysterical fans from entering the research centre.

On the Airport Road, a Hero Honda showroom was set on fire by a group of agitated fans, who were on rounds in the market area to ensure that shops and business establishments were shut in respect to the late actor.

The police have decided to shift the body of Rajkumar to the Kanteerva Sports Stadium in the heart of the city facing Cubbon Park from the Bangalore Palace grounds to facilitate more people to pay homage and regulate crowd movement.

"In view of the trouble brewing in the city following sporadic incidents of arson, stone-throwing and attack by unruly mobs, Rajkumar's mortal remains will be kept at Kanteerva stadium for public view throughout Wednesday night and Thursday.

Elaborate arrangements have been made in and around the stadium to regulate the crowds and maintain law and order," a senior police official said.

In a related development, state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy appealed to the people to remain calm and maintain peace.

Paying glowing tributes to Rajkumar, Kumaraswamy told reporters at an impromptu press conference here that the police was directed to handle the situation tactfully but to not spare any anti-social elements.

"As an ardent fan of Rajkumar myself, I appeal to my fellow fans to pay homage to the thespian peacefully by remaining calm. The best way to pay our respects to Rajkumar is to follow his ideals of simplicity, brotherhood and harmony," Kumaraswamy said.