Despite ban, Jallikattu goes on unchecked in Andhra Pradesh

Tirupati: Notwithstanding warnings by the police against holding Jallikattu (bull race), the event was held at Rangampeta village in Chandragiri mandal, 20 km from Tirupati, on the occasion of Kanuma festival on Saturday.

The villagers vied with each other to snatch the trophies tied to the bulls by chasing them even while sustaining injuries in the process.

Jallikattu, which is popular in the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, is in vogue in Rangampeta and a few other villages in Chittoor since the past 150 years. Farmers offered prayers to the idols of Katama Raju and Goddess Sattemma before commencing the dangerous sport.

They scared the bulls to make them run amok by beating drums after releasing them from about 23 cattle sheds in the village.

A similar race was held at nearby Pullaiahgaripalle village and also at Bopprajuvaripalle village in Ramachandrapuram mandal.

According to information, the bulls were fed with intoxicants such as liquor and ganja before the start of the event despite hue and cry raised by the animal protection societies since a long time against the practice.

Police intervened and brought the situation under control when scores of youth restored to a fight while snatching the trophies tied to the bulls.

A large number of cops, led by Chandragiri inspector Siva Prasad managed the situation from getting out of control. As many as 40 persons sustained minor injuries in the race.

Thousands of people from various parts of Chittoor and neighbouring Nellore and Kadapa districts turned up to witness the event. All the wine shops in the area were shut down as a precautionary measure and ambulances were kept ready to shift the injured to the nearby hospitals.

Meanwhile, police has been gearing up to book cases against those who organised event.

Tirupati Urban SP Gopinath Jetty said “We have already served notices to the organisers against holding the event  Since the Supreme Court has banned it, we are going to book cases.”