CHENNAI: The season’s first jallikattu event in Thanjavur, held at Madhakottai, witnessed intense action, with 700 bulls and 320 tamers taking part on Wednesday. In total, 35 people sustained injuries.
The annual jallikattu in view of Our Lady of Lourdes festival at Madhakottai, organised by the Lourdu Madha Jallikattu Peravai, kick-started after the RDO Nithya flagged off the event after the tamers took oath.
Around 700 bulls from Thanjavur, Tiruchy, Pudukkottai, Madurai, Ariyalur and Perambalur were released in phases from the Vadivasal. As many as 320 tamers, who were divided into eight groups with 40 tamers each, were allowed in the arena.
The tamers and those who were releasing the bulls from Vadivasal were cautioned by the organisers regularly against pulling the tails of the bulls.
On January 30, the registration of bulls and the tamers commenced, and the registration continued till Tuesday (February 3). The registered bulls and the tamers had earlier undergone medical fitness tests. Only the bulls and tamers who were found to be medically fit were permitted in the event.
A medical team, along with the ambulance, was available on the premises. As many as 35 persons, including 20 tamers, who sustained injuries were initially administered treatment on the premises. Later, 17 of the 35 injured tamers were admitted to Thanjavur Government Hospital. A bull also got injured during the event.
The best tamers were given prizes, including household articles, a two-wheeler, a bicycle and the same was given to the best bulls. The owners of the untamed bulls received the prizes. As per the advice of the SP R Rajaram, around 400 police personnel were deployed on the premises under the direct supervision of Vallam DSP Gayathri.