Bull fight gets bloody in Tamil Nadu, 2 killed

New Delhi: Tamil Nadu’s famous bull sport Jallikattu has turned bloody once again. Three bull fighters were killed in Palakurichi and 30 others injured on Friday.

According to officials, Jallikattu wasn't conducted in accordance with the Supreme Court instructions this year, despite organisers winning a legal battle to overcome a ban on the event just last year.

The Supreme Court had permitted the event, but laid down a set of guidelines to ensure the safety of animals, competitors and onlookers.

Meanwhile, the Animal Welfare Board of India has filed a fresh application in the Supreme Court seeking ban on Jallikattu.

Five of the injured belonged to Avaniyapuram and 25 others hailed from Palamedu.

Over the years, the ancient sport has claimed more than 400 lives.

In Madurai too, the Police opened fire in the air to quell two clashing groups of villagers, who hurled stones at each other following a dispute over location of Jallikattu (taming of bulls) at Koppanapatti near Ponnamaravathy in Pudukottai district, 160 km from here, police said today.

Police said two persons suustained serious injuries in the clash last evening.

They arrested 44 persons and registered cases against 300 others, they said.

Police said there was a border dispute between the villages of Koppannapatti, Konnaipatti and Reddiapatti. The residents of Konnaipatti used to celebrate Pongal festival and organise Jallikattu at Koppanapatti street junction which was a disputed area.

Koppannapatti residents had objected to Konnaipatti residents organising Jallikattu in their village and had also complained to police against permitting Jallikattu tobe held in their village.

Police also did not permit the Jallikattu. Meanwhile, more than 500 residents of the Konnaipatti village had gone to Koppannapatti to offer worship at a local temple, when there was a heated exchange between the people of the two villages over organsing the event.

They also hurled the gravels gathered on the roadside at each other. Police opened fire in the air thrice forcing the mobs to disperse.

Police reinforcement had been sent to the village to monitor the situation.