38, including 24 spectators, injured in Sooriyur jallikattu

The event was conducted amidst high security with organisers following all the prescribed norms. The district administration had permitted the event after reviewing all the arrangements. It had given strict instructions to the bull owners and organising committee, making it mandatory to register all the participating bulls with the Department of Animal Husbandry considering the possibility of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

A total of 540 bulls from across the State were registered for the event, while 400 tamers in uniform entered the arena to tackle the bulls.

The tamers were warned over a public announcement system whenever they tried to harm the bulls as a group.

They were warned not to pull the tails, while only one person was permitted to tame a bull at a time.

They were asked not to do so in a group. If a tamer suffered an injured, he was asked to get out of the arena.

According to the organizers, five tamers sustained minor injuries and were given medical assistance through the 108-emergency care on the spot. With the galleries were filled up, some spectators stood outside the arena near the bulls exiting area.

More than 24 spectators sustained minor injuries after they were attacked by the raging bulls. Govindan, a youngster from Sooriyur village, was adjudged the best tamer for taming as many as 11 bulls in the event.