Collector inspects arrangements for Alanganallur jallikattu

Addressing newspersons, Madurai Collector S Natarajan, who inspected the arrangements on Saturday, said jallikattu would normally be conducted for a period of seven hours from 8 am. “But catering to the demands of bull tamers, the time has been extended by one hour. Thus, the event would commence as per the regular schedule at 8 am and conclude at 4 pm this year,” he said.

The Health Department has formed 10 medical teams to cater to emergency cases. Each team comprises a doctor and five nurses. The Animal Husbandry Department has formed 12 teams to take care of the bulls, the Collector said, adding that each team comprises 10 veterinarians.

Tight security arrangements would be in place with adequate police personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.

Around thousand police personnel, including 10 Deputy Superintendents of Police and 30 Inspectors of Police, would be deployed on the ground. “Several teams comprising officials of various government departments have been assigned tasks for the smooth conduct of jallikattu,” Natarajan said.

The Collector also inspected arrangements being made at Palamedu, which is another jallikattu venue. As many as 850 police personnel would be deployed at Palamedu.

“Seven Deputy Superintendents of Police and 21 Inspectors of Police will oversee the security arrangements there. Basic facilities, including drinking water at 15 locations and 10 mobile toilets, would be made available in each of the venues,” the Collector added.

Madurai Revenue Divisional Officer Aravindhan, Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry Rajasekar, Samayanallur Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Kumar, Assistant Director of Town Panchayats Vijayalakshmi, Assistant Director of Village Panchayats Chelladurai, Vadipatti Tahsildar Parthiban, besides Block Development Officers of Alanganallur and Health Department staff accompanied the Collector during his inspection, sources said.