Pongal bull races kill three people in TN

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Bull races held as part of the Pongal festival claimed two lives in Krishnagiri district and one at Munjur village in Vellore taluk Tuesday.

Madhu, 37, of Kittampatti and Mani, 18, of Periamanavarampatti were injured in an attack by raging bulls during an erudottam in Krishnagiri district. They later succumbed to injuries.

According to the event organizers, Erudottam is an event when bulls are decorated with colourful ribbons and accessories and brought to the local temple for participating in the race.

“Each bull will be allowed to charge following drum beats and large crowds gather to watch the event. In some cases, cash rewards are tied to the horns of these bulls, but it is not a competition like jallikattu,” the organizers said.

Besides Erudottam, bull racing was also conducted in several villages in Krishangiri district and neighbouring areas as part of Pongal celebrations. These races carry a modest cash reward and bulls are specifically trained to participate in this event, which is banned in some parts of the state.

Murugan, a villager from Krishangiri, who raises bulls to participate in these races says, “We provide good training and special food to these bulls to participate in the races. The racing bulls are not allowed to work in the fields and are transported only in tempo travelers to ensure maximum safety.”

Man watching bull race gored to death

Raja, a 24- year-old youth, was gored to death by a bull during a race held without permission in Munjur at around 2.15 pm. He was an employee of a private company in Chennai. Raja was rushed to the government hospital, but died on the way, police said.

The bull broke out of the ring and ran into a group of spectators. Raja was attacked by the animal and gored just above the abdomen.

Police arrested four organisers of the race and was looking for three who are on the run.

Meanwhile, around 15 persons were injured in another bull race organised illegally in Keelmottukur village.