Frenzied Vishnu Fans Go Berserk - Police Resort to Lathicharge, Fire Teargas Shells
Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SB)
Bangalore, Dec 30: Police lathicharged and fired tear gas shells towards mourners in Bangalore on Wednesday where Kannada film industry superstar Vishnuvardhan's state funeral was being held. Vishnuvardhan's body was on display for his fans to pay their last respects at the National College Grounds in the city.
Elaborate police arrangement were made for the procession, however, protests erupted in large scale as the fan’s grief soon turned to anger. There were also unconfirmed reports of firing to curb the protests. Police had to fire four rounds of teargas shells and resort to lathicharge at the grounds as fans tried to barge in to get a glimpse of their departed hero Vishnuvardhan. A large number of actors of Sandalwood who came to pay homage added strain to the overstretched security ring around the grounds.
Police control fans at Vishnu's Bangalore residence.
Actor Ambarish, close friend of Vishnuvardhan, broke down at Vishnu's Bangalore residence.
Sep 13, 2004: CM Dharam Singh calls Vishnu to sit with him at a felicitation of senior journalists at Bangalore press club. But he sat on the ground.
Apr 12, 2006: Dr Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan at `Sarthaka Suvarna' - a felicitation for Dr Rajkumar organised by the State Govt at Bangalore Palace grounds.
Governor TN Chaturvedi presents honourary doctorate to Vishnu during 41st convocation of Bangalore University
Fans pay homage to Vishnu at Chamarajanagar
Fans pay homage to Vishnu at Bagalokot
Fans pay homage to Vishnu at Chikmagalur
Few people and some policemen were injured even as parts of Bangalore has shut down following fans damaging vehicles of some TV channels and also attacked public transport buses and some private cars. The roads wore a deserted look and some areas around Basavangudi, Jayanagar, Dairy Circle and Gandhinagar remained tense.
Shops in many areas shut shutters even as Bangalore malls wore a deserted look. Many offices shut down too and allowed employees to go home early. Kollegal declared a bandh for the day.
As the situation slipped out of control, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa appealed for calm and called for an emergency cabinet meeting. The actor's wife Bharti, appealed for calm on TV and said that her late husband was a peace-loving man and that fans should allow him to rest in peace.
Vishnuvardhan's body will be cremated at Abhiman Studios in Uttarahalli. The Karnataka Government has granted Rs 10 crore for the memorial.