Thatchankurichi jallikattu: Spectators among thirteen injured

TRICHY: A total 13 people, mostly spectators and bull owners, sustained injuries in a jallikattu held at Thatchankurichi in Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu on Monday. Four of the injured were hospitalised.
Organised by Don Bosco Ilaignar Manram in the village, this is the first jallikattu of this season in Pudukkottai district. Health minister C Vijaya Baskar flagged off the bull-taming event around 8am. It went on till 2pm.

According to police, a total 453 bulls took part in the jallikattu where 150 bull tamers entered the arena in batches to tame the bulls.

“On a few occasions, the event had to be stopped for a few minutes following return of bulls that left the arena,” said a constable from Gandharvakottai police station who was on duty at the jallikattu venue. Some bulls started attacking the tamers. This led to injuries to bull owners and members of the organising committee handling bulls.

Although no prize had been announced by the organisers for the successful bull tamers or the bull owners, instant cash rewards were given by Vijaya Baskar to some of the bull tamers for displaying exceptional skills in handling bulls in the arena.

There were more than 3,000 spectators.

Though the event was planned for January 2 as part of the new year celebrations, it had to be postponed following a delay in getting the nod from the state government.