Forty-three bull tamers were injured at the ‘jallikattu’ held at Palakurichi near Manapparai in the district on Friday.
While four of the injured were referred to the Manapparai Government Headquarters Hospital, 39 others with minor injuries were treated by doctors at the venue. Special Sub Inspector of Police Soundararajan was among those admitted to the hospital when he was knocked down by a bull while engaged in controlling the crowd at the exit point.
The five-hour long event, organised jointly by Palakurichi, Kalingapatti, Keeranipatti and Solayampatti panchayats, was held at the sprawling ‘Aavaranagaadu maidanam.’ The event, originally scheduled to be held on Thursday, had to be postponed by a day as the district administration initially withheld permission asking the organisers to meet safety guidelines, especially with respect to the galleries for spectators.
The traditional sport organised, as part of Pongal festivities, saw the participation of 276 bulls from Tiruchi and its neighbouring districts. Nine bulls were rejected after screening, according to official sources. The 200 bull tamers too were subjected to medical screening.
A big contingent of police and government officials from different departments were deployed to ensure that the event was held as per Supreme Court guidelines.
The event commenced after initial rituals were performed at the Ponnar Sankar Temple on the huge ground. Here multi-tier galleries had been erected on either sides with double barricades. The temple bulls of the four panchayats were the first to be let out of the “vaadi vaasal” to mark the beginning of the jallikattu.
PeTA to file petition
Staff Reporter from Salem writes:
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA), India, has said it will file a contempt of court petition in the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court next week, stating that the directions of the Supreme Court and High Court were disregarded during the jallikattu this year.
