Two killed in Jallikattu event in Tamil Nadu

Madurai, Tamil Nadu:

Two people, including a bull handler, died in separate Jallikattu events in Tamil Nadu on Monday.

The injuries did not dampen the spirits of the intrepid tamer, who attacked the bulls with renewed vigor each time they were released.

Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the families of Palamedu bull owner Aravind Raj and Pudukottai district spectator M Aravind, who died after being mauled by a bull. Went.

“I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and friends. I have ordered the families of both the deceased to be given Rs three lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund,” the chief minister said.

At least 75 people, including bull tamers and owners, were injured during the Jallikattu (bull-taming sport) held at Avaniyapuram in the district and 34 others injured in the event that ended this evening at Palamedu.

Arvind Raj, a 26-year-old bull tamer who appeared invincible to tame nine bulls, was gored by a bull at a Jallikattu event in Palamedu.

Arvind Raj of Palamedu was taken to the Primary Health Center (PHC) for first aid and later referred to Rajaji Government Medical College Hospital in Madurai, police said.

A senior police officer said, “When he tried to hug the bull during the game, he got injured in his stomach.”

Raj was faster than the animals and displayed a unique skill in successfully taming the bull. His name figures in the list of tamers who tamed the maximum number of bulls out of about 860 bulls that were released from the vadivasal (entry point) into the arena.

He wanted to return home with the coveted Chief Minister’s Award – a car but fate had other plans.

At least 34 people, including a police inspector on duty, besides 10 bull tamers were injured in the incident.

M Aravind, a 25-year-old spectator from Pudukottai district who was watching Jallikattu at Suriyoor village in Tiruchirappalli district, died after being gored by a bull, police said.

A bull owner who was walking out of the arena in Palemedu with a plastic chair gifted to him had to hold on to the chair to save himself from a ferocious bull that attempted to goad him while the young tamer Being handled by the spirited youngster almost saved a free run. , The chair broke in the process but eventually he was able to save himself from the sharp horns of the animal.

Palamedu Jallikattu is the second high-profile competition in the district.

Another bull spooked about 10 youths who approached to catch the hump in the hope of demonstrating their prowess, but found that the animal turned out to be the most powerful. The bull shook his head angrily and threw them hither and thither and escaped being caught. The bull was declared the winner and earned four grams of gold as a prize for its owner.

Jallikattu at Palamedu, which is being held on the Mattu Pongal day dedicated to cattle, witnessed intense competition.

Around 75 people were injured in the first Jallikattu of the 2023 Pongal season held at Avaniyapuram here on the first day of the harvest festival on Sunday. Around 20 of them were provided advanced trauma life support by the administration at the venue, officials said.

737 bulls were released at Avaniyapuram Bull Taming Sport event which saw participation of 257 bulls who had provided RT-PCR negative report and also a certificate that they were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 .

Around 860 bulls were released from Vadivasala (entry point) at Palamedu where 335 tamers participated today.

State Commercial Taxes Minister P Murthy flagged off Jallikattu in the presence of Madurai District Collector S Anish Shekhar.

As the bulls rampage through the arena, frantic pets vie with each other to grapple with each other. The men did not give up each time, despite being outnumbered by the bulls.

As majestic bulls and determined eunuchs battle it out to showcase their prowess, Palamedu keeps the excitement of Pongal Jallikattu alive.

Tamilarasan of Chinnapatti, who tamed 23 bulls, was declared the best tamer and was given the first prize of the Chief Minister’s car. Mani of Palamedu, who tamed 19 bulls, won the second prize – a two-wheeler while Raja of Palamedu, who tamed 15 bulls, won the third prize.

Tamilarasan said, “I was inspired by my father, who was a bull tamer, and trained under him from a young age.”

The owner of the best bull that escaped all taming was given a car as a prize, while the owner of the second winner took home a cow.

Elaborate security arrangements were made by the district administration and police.

The district will witness this traditional sport at Alanganallur on Tuesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)