MADURAI/TIRUCHY: Around 345 tamers took part and 877 bulls were released from the vadivasal of Palamedu jallikattu, which was flagged-off by Minister of Commercial Taxes P Moorthy. Around 31 people, including one journalist, bull tamers and owners, sustained injuries at the event. Among the injured, 10 were referred to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment.
Spectators were seen thronging the venue by flouting rules. “Despite several restrictions, including a crowd limit of 300 and masking, the rules were flouted. Spectators climbed onto platforms, houses, and barricades to witness the event. The district administration could have properly enforced the restrictions,” said R Prabhakaran, a spectator.
Tamilarasan of Chinna Patti, who tamed 23 bulls, emerged as the winner and was awarded a car. Mani of Palamedu won a bike after taming 19 bulls. Temple bull Rengarajapuram Karuppanasamy was selected as the best bull and the owner was awarded a bike. Another bull, Ramesh of Manooththu village, bagged the second spot.
At the Avaniyapuram jallikattu in Madurai on Sunday, nearly 700 bulls and 250 tamers took part. 19 people were injured, of which 11 were referred to GRH for treatment. Vijay from Jaihindpuram, who tamed 28 bulls, was awarded a car. Tamers of Avaniyapuram stated that registration and availing tokens were an uphill task as it was online this year.
610 bulls and 314 tamers participated in Periya Suriyur, which witnessed the first jallikattu for the year in Tiruchy. At the event, around 63 spectators and bull owners sustained minor injuries, of which 11 were referred to Tiruchy GH. Collector M Pradeep Kumar flagged off the event. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and former minister C Vijay Baskar were also present.
Meanwhile, people are gearing up for Alanganallur jallikattu on Tuesday which will be flagged off by Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
(With inputs from MS Thanaraj @ Madurai and Nacchinarkkiniyan @ Tiruchy)