One Vinod Royal, a 24-year-old resident of Tirupathi, succumbed to injuries yesterday in Kolar, Karnataka following a physical assault on him by another youngster on the sidelines of a private party. Vinod, a B.Tech graduate and a fan of Pawan Kalyan, was to go to the US for further studies.

His unfortunate death has shocked many.

A section of Pawan Kalyan's fans from Vizag today organized a small demonstration at the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation's Gandhi statue. They demanded that the Karnataka CID institute an investigation into the death. According to some reports, Vinod's attacker is the fan of a big star. There was a "heated argument" before the fan lost his cool and attacked Vinod.

"There should be space for opinions we are not in agreement with. We should follow in the foot steps of Mahatma Gandhi. We hereby demand that the AP government take up the issue and urge the Karnataka government to ask the CID to investigate into the incident. Was it a planned conspiracy or a case of physical assault gone fatal? A thorough investigation has to find the truth", the demonstrators said, holding placards with messages.

Hinting that the assault could have been the result of fanatical affection for a star, they said that the best way to show ones love for a star is by undertaking welfare activities.

Siva Prasad, Satish, Nani, Phani, Rajesh and others took part in the demonstration.

Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan has decided to travel to Tirupathi to console Vinod's bereaved family.