As many as 70 bull tamers sustained minor injuries at a ‘jallikatu’ held at Sakkudi near here on Saturday.
Fifteen of the injured had been referred to Government Rajaji Hospital here , said P. Rajasekaran, organiser of the event. Nearly 700 bulls from places such as Theni, Pudukottai, Dindigul, Namakkal, Virudhunagar, Vellore, Sivaganga, Salem, Pudukottai, Tiruchi and Madurai took part in the ‘jallikattu,’ and as many bull tamers gathered inside the arena to tame them. Splashed with colours, the raging bulls were let one by one into the arena through the ‘Vaadi Vasal’ (entrance).
Bull tamers were given prizes such as refrigerators, cots, utensils, cell phones and bicycles.
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The owners of the sturdier bulls that managed to escape the grip of the tamers were also given prizes. On a few occasions, minor commotion ensued as the bulls that finished the round returned to the arena. The event started at 8 a.m. and culminated at 2 p.m. The sport was held in compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court.
It may be recalled that the Madras High Court Bench in Madurai had recently directed the Madurai Collector and district police to grant permission and necessary protection to the ‘jallikattu’ event at Sakkudi on the eve of Muppili Swamy Temple Maha Sivarathri festival on March 8.