Ariyalur villagers welcome 2019 with ‘first’ jallikattu of season

TIRUCHY:Three persons suffered severe injuries in the event, in which over 250 bulls from various places including Tiruchy, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Salem took part.

The bulls were decorated with traditional festoons and taken to the ‘vadivasal’ after a medical inspection. More than 200 tamers from Ariyalur and nearby districts participated in the event. They also underwent the mandatory medical assessment. Winners were awarded several prizes like silver coins, silver utensils, furniture, cycle and other articles.

Although proper safety measures were in place, three persons identified as K Ashok (35) from Kaduvettankurichi near Jayankondam, M Vasanth (25) from Thirumangalam and M Ramesh (25) from Melakolathur suffered severe injuries. They were rushed to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. Other tamers who sustained mild injuries were given first aid at the jallikattu venue.

New Year celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm

New Year was celebrated with enthusiasm in Madurai and other districts of southern region. Scores of worshippers thronged churches, temples and mosques on the occasion and offered prayers. Midnight prayers were offered at churches, as worshippers congregated at the crack of the dawn. Scores of devotees thronged pilgrimage centres in Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur, Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari and offered prayers. 

The celebrations passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents in Madurai. Based on instructions of Inspector General of Police (South Zone) K P Shanmuga Rajeswaran, around 2,500 police personnel were deployed in parts of the city. As many as 1,117 cases were registered for various offences like speeding and drunken drive between 6 pm on December 31 and 6 am the next day. A total fine amount of Rs 1.66 lakh was levied on the offenders.

In Kanniyakumari district, around 200 cases were booked for various road safety related violations. Rs 75,000 was collected as fine from the offenders, sources said.

With school holidays currently in progress, many tourists thronged Kodaikanal in Dindigul district, Courtallam in Tirunelveli district and Kanniyakumari. The popular hill station of Kodaikanal has been jam-packed with tourists since December 24.