Madurai (Tamil Nadu): A young bull tamer was gored to death and atleast 46 others injured, nine of them critically, during the annual ‘Jallikattu’ (taming of bulls) event held at Avaniyapuram here on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Naveen Kumar of Vilankudi village in Madurai.
When Naveen Kumar attempted to tame a ferocious bull, its horn pierced through his chest. He was rushed to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) in an ambulance, where he succumbed to the injuries.
It is the first bull taming event held in Madurai, as part of the ongoing Pongal festival this year.
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration, P.Moorthy and district Collector M.S.Sangeetha flagged off the event on Tuesday morning.
Ferocious bulls were let out one after the other through “Vaadi Vaasal” – a narrow entrance into the Jallikattu arena.
Of the injured, nine persons were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment.
Around 500 registered tamers and 836 bulls participated in the day-long event.
At the end of the 11th and final round, a bull owned by Former interim general secretary of the AIADMK, V.K.Sasikala that was reared by one Malaiyandi was adjudged as the best performing bull and was rewarded a Tractor as prize on behalf of Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, while an agile youth, K.Karthik Pandian from Thirupparankundram in Madurai district, who tamed 19 bulls in the event emerged as the best bull tamer and was awarded a car for his valour on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Besides, gold coins, motorcycles, cash prizes, bicycles, grinders, electronic devices, household articles and many other articles were presented to the bull tamers and bull owners.
Twenty bull tamers were disqualified on various grounds, including forged documents, while 21 bulls were disqualified for similar reasons.
A special medical team was present near the venue to provide immediate medical assistance.
Over 2000 police personnel were posted in and around Avaniyapuram for security.
The renowned Jallikattu events would be held at Palamedu and Alanganallur in Madurai on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
