Tension at jallikattu near Tirumangalam as bull owners use fake tokens

MADURAI: Trouble erupted when some owners attempted to make their bulls participate in the contest illegally by breaking a portion of barricade near the vaadivaasal. Nearly 30 bulls without registration entered the arena. Though the authorities and the members of ‘Vizha Committee’ intervened in the middle of jallikattu and convened talks to amicably settle the issue, it was revealed that several bull owners used fake tokens to participate in the contest. As discontent brewed some of them hurled stones at the venue and police personnel were forced to chase them away. Madurai SP V Baskaran said after inquiring they found some of the bull owners had photocopies of tokens with same numbers. A total of 272 tokens were issued, but 450 bulls took part. However, with adequate police force, the situation was brought under control, he added. But, owners claimed that tokens were issued offline by authorities.