Karnataka - Mysore   

Tension in Mysore as people spill onto the streets

Staff Correspondent

Commuters using autorickshaws stranded at several places

SPONTANEOUS ERUPTION: Fans of Rajkumar staging a protest in Mysore on Wednesday.

MYSORE: Tension prevailed in the city following the demise of the thespian, Rajkumar, on Wednesday as fans of the late actor forced the closure of business establishments in several parts of the city.

As soon as the news of the passing away of the actor spread, members of Dr. Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha and other pro-Kannada organisations started congregating at K.R. Circle. They asked shopkeepers to end the day's business. While some voluntarily closed their shop fearing problems, the activists forcibly closed several others.

The protesters split into groups to ensure that shops and other business establishments remained closed in the heart of the city. D. Devaraja Urs Road, K.R. Circle, Sayyaji Rao Road, Ashoka Road, Dhanvantri Road, Santhepete and other main thoroughfares of the city wore a deserted look after the news of Dr. Rajkumar's demise spread.

Anxious to reach home, most people rushed to the city bus stand as news of the violence in Bangalore reached them.

Though the bus service remained normal for most part of the evening, tension was palpable among commuters.

The police had to chase away fans of Dr. Rajkumar near K.R. Hospital when they tried to go towards Mandi Mohalla, N.R. Mohalla and other places. They erected barricades and additional police personnel were brought in to control the swelling mob.

Meanwhile, angry protesters also stopped autorickshaws and in a few cases forced passengers to alight, causing inconvenience to commuters. Various fan clubs and pro-Kananda organisations erected pandals at major junctions and offered floral tributes to photographs of Dr. Rajkumar. At a few places, the fans also took out processions as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

In several extension areas, the death of Dr. Rajkumar was announced through the public address system by members of Dr. Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha. Cinema halls across the city stopped screening movies as a mark of respect to Dr. Rajkumar. Several music concerts organised as part of Sri Ramotsava were cancelled.

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