1,100 bulls to compete in Avaniyapuram jallikattu; tractor top prize

Madurai: Around 1,100 bulls and 900 bull tamers are set to battle it out during the Avaniyapuram jallikattu to held on Tuesday. For the first time in years, a tractor sponsored by chief minister M K Stalin has been announced as the top prize for the owner of the winning bull. Meanwhile, a car sponsored by deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin is the top prize for the winning bull tamer.Commercial taxes minister P Moorthy, along with Madurai district administration, police, and city corporation officials, inspected the preparations at the venue on Monday and assured that all measures were taken to ensure safety and fulfil the basic needs of participants and spectators. Out of more than 12,000 bulls registered, only around 3,000 bulls were issued tokens for the three major jallikattu events in Madurai. This includes 1,100 bulls for Avaniyapuram jallikattu.The Madurai city police announced that time slots have been fixed for all bulls with tokens, and the bulls will be allowed inside the venue at a particular time every hour. Verification of IDs by QR code will be done by police and animal husbandry department officials prior to the event. Anyone accompanying the bulls or bull tamers who are found to have consumed alcohol will be disqualified.City police commissioner J Loganathan said that around 2,600 police personnel are being deployed for security at Avaniyapuram and a double barricading system is in place to regulate the movement of bulls. Madurai collector M S Sangeetha added that 14 ambulances will be stationed at various spots in and around the venue, and medical teams with eight doctors will be at the spot. One medical team each is also being set up at the bull assembly point and collection point, respectively. Water tanks and mobile toilets for public use are also set up at the venue.