Rajkumar cremated after violence claims four lives

Bangalore, Apr 13 (UNI) The mortal remains of matinee idol Rajkumar were laid to rest with State honours at the Kanteerava Studios here this evening after hysterical fans of the icon of Kannada cinema indulged in large-scale violence, forcing police to open fire in which four people were killed.

As lakhs of grief-stricken people cried inconsolably, the thespian's eldest son Shivrajkumar performed the last rituals in the presence of Rajkumar's wife Parvathamma and other sons -- Raghavendra and Puneet. Ninety rounds of gun shots were fired as his body was laid to rest.

The five-hour-long funeral procession was marred by violence, chaos and confusion and four people were killed when police opened fire to quell irate fans in two places.

While one person was killed when the procession started, the three others died when police opened fire to disperse a frenzied mob which indulged in arson and stone-throwing.

Several people, including policemen, X X X here pick up fourth para of MS 51, PEOPLE-KARNATAKA-RAJKUMAR FUNERAL.

UNI TEAM/AT GC1938