19 bull-tamers hurt in jallikattu near Namakkal
The Namakkal district collector, Ms. Asia Mariam inaugurated the jallikattu and bulls were released through the vaadivaasal'.
NAMAKKAL: As part of the extended ‘Pongal’ festival celebrations, a jallikattu organised at Pottirettipatti near Namakkal on Saturday saw 19 bull-tamers suffering injuries, as 367 bulls vied for honours in this traditional sport in this western district.
The Namakkal district collector, Ms. Asia Mariam inaugurated the jallikattu and bulls were released through the ‘vaadivaasal’. As many as 376 bull tamers participated in the sport and tried to tame the bulls. In the process, 19 bull-taming youth were injured, three of them severely. They were rushed to the Namkkal government hospital for treatment.
The winners received various prizes including an electric fan, cot, silver coins and silver pots. Thousands of visitors thronged the venue to watch the jallikattu. Police personnel deployed led by district ADSP, M Ramarasamy, were deployed in good strength.