Tragedy Strikes During Pongal Festival as Unauthorized Bull Events Claim Five Lives
Five individuals lost their lives in separate unauthorized bull-related events across Salem and Krishnagiri districts on Saturday. The incidents occurred during the Pongal festival celebrations, highlighting the dangers of unregulated traditional practices.
Manju Virattu Events Turn Deadly in Salem Villages
Two unauthorized 'Manju Virattu' events, a variant of jallikattu, took place in Salem district without police permission. These competitions typically occur in Thammampatty and surrounding areas during Pongal.
In Kondaiyampalli village, a bull escaped from the vadivasal and entered a residential area. The animal attacked Vinitha, a 31-year-old woman, when she stepped out of her house. The bull's horns pierced her stomach. Authorities rushed her to a private hospital in Attur, but she succumbed to her injuries without responding to treatment.
Gangavalli police have registered a case and launched an investigation into this tragic incident.
Another unauthorized Manju Virattu event unfolded in Sentharapatty village. A bull released from the vadivasal gored C Sakthivel, a 22-year-old spectator from the same locality, in the chest. According to Thammampatty police, he died while being transported to the hospital. Police have registered a case and are conducting inquiries.
Eruthattam Events Prove Fatal in Salem District
Two separate unauthorized 'eruthattam' or bull chase events in Salem district also resulted in fatalities.
At an event in Keeripatty, Periyasamy, a 65-year-old spectator from the area, suffered fatal injuries when a bull gored him. In another event near Mecheri at the Pukkampatty Mariamman Temple, Rajkumar, a 58-year-old spectator, sustained stomach injuries from a bull attack. He died en route to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital.
Mecheri police have registered a case regarding this incident.
Krishnagiri District Witnesses Another Tragedy
Meanwhile, in Krishnagiri district, a youth died during an unauthorized eruthattam event near Kaveripattinam. The victim has been identified as Ilavarasan, a 23-year-old son of Raja from the same area. He was attending as a spectator when the bull attacked him.
Kaveripattinam police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
These incidents underscore the critical need for proper regulation and safety measures during traditional bull events. Police across multiple stations continue their investigations into all five fatalities, emphasizing the importance of obtaining necessary permissions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
