Bull tamers demand better treatment, relief for injured

MADURAI: A group of jallikattu bull tamers on Monday petitioned Madurai district collector T S Rajsekar urging him to give special focus to treat those who sustain injuries in the jallikattu sport as some injuries cause them irreversible loss, if not treated with utmost care.
Three bull tamers from Madurai district, who lost vision in one eye at different events in the last couple of years, submitted separate petitions.
Subash Chandrabose from Kamatchinagar, M Manirathinam from Mudakathan and Silambarasan from Kalavasal jointly urged the collector to ensure the best treatment for those, who sustain injuries.
Subash Chandrabose, 20, who suffered an injury on his right eye in one of the jallikattu events took place this year said that it led to the loss of eyesight. “I was treated by young doctors, in the absence of senior doctors at Government Rajaji Hospital. I believe that eyesight could have been saved had senior doctors treated me. No one else should suffer like me and that is the reason why we petitioned today,” he said.
B Manikandaprabu of Jallikattu Payirchi Maiyam, who brought the trio to the collectorate said that special care need to be given to eye injuries and a team of special doctor should treat bull tamers in such injuries.
“The district administration should come forward to compensate for the loss of eyesight. Best of treatment should reverse the lost vision to them,” he said.