61 injured in Jallikattu festival

Alanganallur (TN) Jan 17 (PTI) At least 61 people wereinjured, 11 of them seriously, in a popular Jallikattu (tamingthe bull) event, witnessed by thousands, including foreigntourists.

Officials said the seriously injured were referred tothe Madurai government Rajaji hospital for further treatment,while the others were treated at a medical camp near thevenue.

Over 570 bulls from various parts of Tamil Naduparticipated in the game. All bulls and players were medicallyexamined before being allowed into the ground. Players wereprovided uniforms.

Bull tamers were given prizes, ranging from goldcoins, electronic goods and cash.

Meanwhile, another seriously injured person who wasgored by a bull at a jallikattu event at Avaniapuram died atGovernment Rajaji Hospital here without responding totreatment, officials said.

More than 1,200 police personnel were deployed for thejallikattu at Alanganallur today, which was held as perSupreme Court guidelines issued in the wake of complaints fromanimal rights activists about cruelty to the bulls, besidescasualties among large number of spectators.

Emergency medical services, including an ambulance,were kept ready at the venue, officials said.