Madurai Jallikattu continues amidst tight security after 1 death and 75 injured
Madurai: A heavy police presence has been deployed for the ongoing Jallikattu events in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai district, with over 2,300 police personnel assigned to ensure safety during the competitions at Palamedu and Alanganallur. The authorities have made extensive arrangements for crowd control and security, especially with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin scheduled to attend the event.
Despite saety measures, the event has seen tragedy on Tuesday. During the Avaniyapuram Jallikattu, one person was killed, and 75 others were injured. Naveen Kumar, a bull tamer from Madurai, died after being kicked in the chest by a bull. He was rushed to the Madurai Government Medical College Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Among the injured, 30 sustained grievous injuries, with others suffering minor wounds. The district administration has expressed plans to appeal for aid for the deceased's family from the Chief Minister's relief fund.
Jallikattu day 2 and 3: Palamedu and Alanganallur events
The second and third days of the Jallikattu festival will take place in Palamedu and Alanganallur, respectively. Strict regulations are in place to ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
Inspector General of Police, South Zone, Prem Anand Sinha, is overseeing the deployment of forces, including officers brought in from neighboring districts. Five Deputy Commissioners of Police, along with the Commissioner, are supervising the security arrangements.
The local police, along with support from the regional force, have mandated that only bull owners with valid tokens, along with their Aadhaar cards, will be allowed to participate. These tokens are issued after strict verification of documents on the official district website, ensuring only eligible bull tamers and owners can take part in the event.
Fatal incident at Avaniyapuram and safety measures for upcoming events
Despite heavy arrangements, the Avaniyapuram event saw one fatality and numerous injuries. Following the incident, the district administration emphasised that all necessary precautions would be in place for the upcoming Palamedu and Alanganallur events. Authorities have also reiterated that each bull can only participate in one of the three Jallikattu competitions in the district, and bulls must be accompanied by their owner and a familiar trainer.
Rewards for participants:
In addition to stringent safety protocols, the rewards for participants are enticing. The best bull will be awarded a tractor worth Rs 11 lakh, while the top bull tamer will receive a car worth Rs 8 lakh. Other prizes include motorcycles and cash awards. The prize distribution ceremony will be held with the presence of officials including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin.
As preparations continue for the Palamedu and Alanganallur events, the district police are committed to ensuring that the remaining days of Jallikattu are conducted smoothly and safely, despite the recent tragedy.
What is Jallikattu tradition:
Jallikattu, an ancient bull-taming sport, is a key part of the Pongal celebrations, held on the third day of the festival, known as Mattu Pongal. It is celebrated primarily in rural Tamil Nadu and involves a bull being released into a crowd, where participants attempt to control it by grabbing its hump. The sport’s roots date back to over 2,000 years, with the term “Jallikattu” derived from the words "jalli" (gold and silver coins) and "kattu" (tied).