Illegal jallikattu at Sivaganga, 2 killed

The deceased were identified as K Xavier (42) of Kallupatti, Amaravathiputhur and A. Thangaraj (26) of K Valayapatti, Nachiyarpuram.

Sources said around thousand spectators gathered at Kandramanickam to watch the jallikattu. As many as 300 bulls, a majority of them belonging to ‘Kattumadu’ breed participated in the event. Some bulls, which ran amok, gored two spectators to death.

When contacted, Sivaganga Collector J Jayakanthan said the victims could not be identified whether they were spectators or tamers as the event was organised without obtaining permission from the district administration. Jallikattu was not restricted to a particular period though it is mostly held during Pongal season. The rural sport of valour would normally be held in January. But, the event was also held up to May every year at different places in this district with permission from officials.

The event at Kandramanickam was a violation as the organiser failed to get official permission. Thirukoshtiyur police have registered a case against the organiser, the Collector said.

According to sources from Department of Animal Husbandry, it was mandatory for any organizer of Jallikattu to get permission from the District Administration at least fifteen days prior to the schedule. Once the organizer applied for availing permission, the Revenue Divisional Officer concerned would inspect the venue of the bull taming sport as a formal procedure of field verification. After submitting the inspection report, District Collector would also conduct inspection at the venue before granting permission. Since model code of conduct remains in force, there’s no possibility for authorities to grant permission to organize Jallikattu. Hence, to avoid permission bottlenecks, such event could have been organized in a clandestine structure, sources said. Sivagangai, which is located near Madurai, is one of the southern districts, where this rural sport of bull taming is conducted in different forms.