Twenty two injured during Jallikattu in TN

Twenty two persons were injured, in the Jallikattu (taming of the bull) event that took place at Palamedu town as a part of Pongal harvest festival.

Madurai: Twenty two persons were injured, including bull tamers and audiences, in the Jallikattu (taming of the bull) event that took place at Palamedu town here on Tuesday as a part of Pongal harvest festival.

Four persons were seriously injured, while 15 onlookers and seven bull tamers sustained injuries following a melee after some bulls ran amok into the crowd, police said. A total of 370 bulls were brought from neighbouring districts for the Jallikattu, they added. The seriously injured have been admitted to Madurai Rajaji Hospital and others were treated as outpatients, police said. Yesterday, 55 persons sustained injuries in the Jallikattu held at Avaniyapuram near here. Official sources said the event was conducted as per the guidelines of Supreme Court and Tamil Nadu Jallikattu Regulation Act in wake of complaints from animal rights activists about cruelty to the animals, besides casualties among spectators. Authorities had made sure that the bulls were not subjected to harassment and administered intoxicants. The bulls were medically examined prior to the event and it was also ensured that the bull tamers were not inebriated, they said. PTI