Amid apprehensions of violence and anticipation that the authorities may prevent it, the famed bullfight was marked with excitement at Arepalle Rangampet village in Chandragiri mandal of Chittoor district on Thursday.
This falls in the Assembly constituency represented by Minister Galla Aruna Kumari
‘Pasuvula Panduga’, the festival of the livestock is celebrated with much fanfare in the countryside, where the cows, bulls, buffaloes and goats are the centre of attraction.
As a natural extension of the ‘Jallikattu’ culture in Tamil Nadu, the bull fight is conducted this day of the year with great pomp, especially in the Kuppam, Vedurukuppam and Chittoor belts sharing the border with the neighbouring State.
Young participants converged on the contiguous A.Rangampet and Pullaiahgaripalle villages for the mega event.
Bullfight is celebrated as an act of valour and participation brings them fame in the vicinity.
Barricading was done along the main street.
The bulls ran amok once let off the leash, while the waiting youth pounced upon them to catch them by their horns. A few of them were injured in the melee, but no incidents of violence were reported.
Even as there was furore over the conduct of the event, said to be in violation of the verdict to prevent cruelty to animals, the villagers called it an age-old tradition. Government authorities remain mum over the incident.
“An estimated 10,000 people participated in the event and it is hard to prevent its conduct. Such acts can only be handled by sensitising the public,” Superintendent of Police (Tirupati Urban) S.V. Rajasekhara Babu said.
Policemen were posted at the village to maintain order.
