Jallikattu: One Spectator Gored To Death, 80 Participants Injured In Madurai's Avaniyapuram

The spectator was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment but was declared brought dead by doctors.

A tamer taming a bull during Jallikattu in Madurai on Friday | Credit: ABP Nadu

Chennai: One spectator was gored to death while over 80 participants suffered injuries due to the Jallikattu event held in Avaniyapuram of Madurai district on Friday. The first bull-taming event of the year in Madurai district was held at Avaniyapuram with hundred of participants, bulls and spectators on January 14, despite the COVID-19 norms.

According to a report on The Hindu, a 19-year-old spectator identified as D Balamurugan of Avaniyapuram was attacked by a bull near the bull collection point. He was immediately rushed for treatment but was declared brought dead by doctors in Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital on Friday.

The Tamil Nadu government permitted only 150 spectators to view the Jallikattu. However, several residents gathered near the venue to witness the event by ignoring the COVID-19 protocol. Balamurugan also came to the bull collection to watch the event. 

The Avaniyapuram jallikattu started on Friday with Tamil Nadu Ministers Palanivel Thiaga Rajan and P Moorthy flagging off the event in the presence of Madurai MP Su Venkatesan and Madurai Collector Aneesh Sekhar. 

Overall 652 bulls and 294 tamers took part in the event and they were permitted only after they issued a negative RT-PCR test report and a vaccination certificate. 

The Jallikattu event came to a close at 5.30 PM on Friday with an individual Karthik of Avaniapuram emerging as the winner for taming the bulls. Karthik was given a prize of a car for taming 24 bulls on Friday. The best bull was selected as the bull owned by Devasahayam who was given a motorcycle as a prize.