Two-day state mourning for Rajkumar in Karnataka

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) The Karnataka government Wednesday declared a two-day mourning as a mark of respect to Kannada thespian Rajkumar, who died here after a cardiac arrest.

State Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters the decision to observe a two-day mourning till Thursday was taken at a cabinet meeting held to pay homage to the matinee idol and express condolences to his bereaved family.

"Rajkumar will be accorded a state funeral with full police honours and gun salute Thursday. A two-day mourning is being observed till Thursday. Government offices, educational institutions, business establishments, private offices and theatres will remain closed as a mark of respect," he said.

Rajkumar's mortal remains will be laid to rest at the farmhouse of his second son - Puneet Kumar - on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The timing of last rites will be decided by the government in consultation with his family members.

Rajkumar's body will be taken to the farmhouse on the outskirts of the city in a procession from the Kanteerva sports stadium, where it has been shifted from his residence for enabling the public pay homage in an orderly manner.

In a bid to regulate crowds thronging the stadium for a glimpse of the celluloid hero, the police have made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order in the vicinity.

About 15 platoons of police have been deployed in and around the city to maintain peace and contain a spate of violent incidents that rocked India's silicon hub after frenzied fans of Rajkumar went berserk, attacking police vehicles, public transport buses and private vehicles with batons and stones.

"In a series of attacks, 14 police vehicles, 48 city transport buses and 72 private vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were severely damaged following stone-throwing and arson," additional commissioner police Bipin Gopalkrishna (law and order) told IANS here.

The chief minister appealed to the frenzied fans to maintain peace and pay homage to their hero calmly in an orderly fashion. Several Kannada film personalities, including directors and producers, have also appealed to the fans to desist from attacking public property and vehicles.

"The best tribute to Rajkumar will be to uphold his ideals and follow the path of peaceful co-existence. The fans need not take law into their hands as every one of them will be given a chance to have a glimpse of the body at the stadium," a Kannada film chambers' spokeman said.