RESPECT FOR RAJKUMAR: Mahatma Gandhi Road looks deserted on Thursday as business establishments remained closed as a mark of respect for Rajkumar and also fearing mob violence. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

BANGALORE: A total bandh was observed in Bangalore on Thursday as a mark of respect to the Kannada thespian Rajkumar who passed away here on Wednesday.

Normal life was affected as shops, business establishments, hotels and cinemas remained closed throughout the day. But, medical stores remained open.

A holiday was declared for State Government offices, courts, banks and private companies, including many information technology firms and call centres.

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operated limited services as several of their buses were damaged in Wednesday's violence.

Few vehicles

Autorickshaws were off the road and there were few two-wheelers and cars about. Pedestrians were seen at several places requesting motorists to give them a lift.

The Kempe Gowda bus station and the Shivajinagar bus terminus were deserted. People who arrived here by bus and train were seen searching for autorickshaws and taxis near the City Railway Station and the Kempe Gowda bus station.

There was hardly any activity in the usually crowded commercial areas such as Mahatma Gandhi Road, Brigade Road, Commercial Street, Avenue Road, S.P. Road, Chickpet and Gandhinagar.

In view of the violent incidents reported from several areas on Wednesday, people did not venture out of their houses. Several people, particularly bachelors dependent on hotels for food, were put to hardship as restaurants and even small eateries remained closed.

Dr. Rajkumar's fans had put up his portraits at prominent junctions and held condolence meetings.

Loudspeakers at these junctions blared the popular songs sung by the thespian.

Earlier in the day, the fans formed groups and went around in their areas forcing shopkeepers to down the shutters. At some places they placed used tyres on the roads and set them on fire.

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