Tamers register for jallikattu in Madurai

According to Madurai Deputy Director of Health, K V Arjun Kumar, around 850 tokens were issued to tamers at Alanganallur after they underwent the preliminary round of health tests. The doctors checked whether the participants had physical ailments such as blood pressure, sugar and hyper-tension. Their body mass index was also calculated.

“The tamers should be aged between 18 and 40 years. There will be another screening on the day of jallikattu, when they would go through an alcohol and physical fitness test. Eight teams consisting medical officers and health inspectors, besides six mobile health units will be deployed in the venues,” he said.

When contacted, Madurai Collector S Natarajan told DT Next that a meeting involving a High Court-appointed organising committee led by Justice (retired) C Raghavan and an advisory committee comprising 16 members was convened on Saturday.

Instructions were given to ensure a smooth conduct of jallikattu. The organising committee, which includes three lawyers, listened to suggestions aired by the advisory committee members during the meeting. “The members of the advisory committee cannot claim any rights over the conduct of the event as directed by the High Court,” Natarajan said.

As many as 760 police personnel would be deployed at Avaniyapuram, the Collector said, adding that a team of eight officials would monitor proceedings during the event. Regional Joint Director of Animal Husbandry, R Rajasekaran said the enrolment of bulls and issuance of tokens would be made on Sunday in veterinary dispensaries.