Salem: The villagers living in and around Periyagoundapuram in Salem district conducted the jallikattu with great enthusiasm against the Supreme Court’s stay against it. According to a source, the villagers of Periyagoundapuram began secretly decorating the ground for conducting jallikattu on Tuesday morning.
They began the jallikattu for which the bulls were brought from various nearby villages, including Chinnagoundapuram, Keeraippatti, Aathur, Thammampatti and Sentharappatti. Despite tight vigil by the police to restrict the transporting of bulls through vehicles, the villagers brought as many as 35 bulls through the fields.
The bulls were released into the field and about hundred bull tamers ran into the ground with enthusiasm to try to catch them. However, some youths sustained injuries when the bulls gored them. They were removed from the spot and sent for treatment.
Thousands of villagers witnessed the jallaikattu and they reached the spot ignoring police warnings. The viewers also enjoyed the jallikattu encouraging bull tamers. A villager, said, “The traditional game of jallikattu was banned. However, we tried to conduct ‘Erudattam’ during Pongal celebrations.
Meanwhile, police intervened and prevented us from conducting the festival. We planned secretly and conducted the jallikatttu on Tuesday and we are satisfied having celebrated Pongal. We are also hoping for a better crop this year.”
