“Tragedy at Bull Taming Event: 12-Year-Old Boy and Man Gored to Death in Sivaganga District”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Tragedy Strikes as Bull Taming Sport Claims Two Lives in Sivaganga District

In a shocking turn of events, a bull taming sport held in Siravayal village near Tirupathur in Sivaganga district took a tragic turn on Wednesday. Two spectators, including a 12-year-old boy and a man in his 40s, were gored to death by bulls, while over 100 others sustained injuries. The Nachiarpuram police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

According to the police, the bulls, which were outside the designated sporting arena, suddenly charged at the unsuspecting spectators. One of the bulls fatally gored a 12-year-old boy named Baskaran, also known as Rahul, from K. Valayapatti. Another man, whose identity is yet to be established, tragically lost his life after being charged and attacked by another bull. The news of the tragedy spread like wildfire, causing chaos and panic in the village. Although the police promptly rushed both victims to the hospital, they were declared brought dead by the doctors.

The bull taming sport, locally known as “manjuvirattu,” is a traditional event held annually as part of the Pongal celebrations in the region. After performing the customary puja at the renowned Sri Perianayaki Amman and Thenatchi Amman Temples, the temple bulls are released into the arena. This year, approximately 80 bull tamers from surrounding villages and neighboring districts, along with 275 registered bulls, participated in the event. Additionally, hundreds of other bulls were brought but not registered for the competition.

The manjuvirattu event drew a massive crowd of around 80,000 spectators. The honorable TN Minister for Cooperation, KR Periakaruppan, inaugurated the event in the presence of Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram, Karaikudi MLA Mangudi, SP Aravind, and other dignitaries. Before the commencement of the event, Sivaganga District Collector Asha Ajith administered an oath to the bull tamers, emphasizing the importance of safety.

To ensure the security of both participants and spectators, the police had deployed 1,000 personnel for bandobust. However, the unexpected charging of the bulls caught everyone off guard, resulting in this tragic incident. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the bulls’ sudden aggression and whether any safety protocols were overlooked.

This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with traditional sports like manjuvirattu. While it holds cultural significance and attracts a large audience, safety measures must be prioritized to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. The organizers and authorities involved in these events must collaborate to ensure the well-being of both animals and spectators.

As the investigation progresses, the authorities will hopefully identify any lapses in safety protocols and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents. It is crucial to strike a balance between preserving cultural traditions and prioritizing the safety of participants and spectators..