Bangalore:
Police lobbed teargas shells and lathicharged frenzied fans of Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan who went on a rampage in some parts of the city on hearing news of the actor's death.
Four persons suffered minor injuries when police fired rubber bullets to control the crowd outside National College grounds, police said.
Several vehicles were damaged in stone throwing incidents in Jayanagar, Basavanagudi and Tumkur road while miscreants burnt tyres on Mysore road.
Violence broke out in Jayanagar, where the residence of the actor is located, as well as National College grounds where his mortal remains have been kept for public to pay homage.
Shopkeepers in several areas downed their shutters fearing trouble while some others, did so as a mark of respect to the actor, who commands a huge following.
Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and the actor's family have urged the public to maintain calm.
Police said some persons tried to break the cordon thrown around the entire National College grounds, while others burst crackers on the road near the grounds, leading to rumours that police had opened fire.
Police lathicharged some persons who tried to forcibly take out a procession with a huge garlanded cutout of Vishnuvardhan.
City Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari who was at the spot said that 20 platoons of KSRP (Karnataka State Reserve Police) and some platoons of CAR (City Armed Reserve) have been pressed into service to prevent any untoward incidents.
Sufficient police personnel have been deployed to ensure a trouble free funeral procession culminating at Abhiman Studio, where the cremation will take place later in the day, police said.
Among the dignitaries who paid their last respects to the actor were Governor H R Bhardwaj, JDS leader H D Devegowda and the party's state president H D Kumaraswamy and members from the film fraternity, including Ambarish, Srinath, Shivaraj Kumar, Jayanthi, Umashri and Jayamala.
Vishnuvardhan died of cardiac arrest here in the wee hours today. He was 59.
The actor developed breathing problems and he was immediately taken to a private hospital where he breathed his last. According to hospital sources, he died at around 0300 hrs.