One bull tamer killed; scores injured in Jallikattu at TN's Avaniyapuram

One bull tamer was gored to death and scores injured, including spectators, at the famed Jallikattu, the ancient bull taming sport held as part of the Pongal festival, at Avaniyapuram in Madurai district on Tuesday.

- MC RAJAN

Police said the deceased, identified as Navin Kumar of nearby Vilangudi was admitted to the Government Rajaji Hospital after being critically injured while attempting to hold on to the hump of a raging bull. Till the completion of the 11th round of the sport, 28 people, including bull tamers and owners of bulls and spectators, were injured. Over 700 bulls and over 600 tamers took part in the event which commenced in the morning.

The Government's first prize for the tamers, a Nissan car, was won by V Karthik of nearby Vilangudi, who had tamed 19 bulls. For the best bull in the competition, the prize was a tractor and it was awarded to the oxen of Malaiyandi.