Sources have stated that Alanganallur has turned the epicentre for protests demanding the conduct of jallikattu, the banned bull-taming sport, here on Monday as thousands of people, predominantly youngsters from across the State, gathered at the village and took out protests throughout the day. The mass protests, bereft of any leadership, were staged even as the bull-taming sport, in varied forms, was held in different parts of the State including Sivaganga, Salem, Namakkal, Tiruchi and Tiruvannamalai districts.
It was stated that as many as 95 people were detained while another 30 were arrested and remanded in custody. Around 10 people were injured as the police resorted to a lathi charge in the midst of the protests.
Meanwhile despite the Madurai rural police setting up check posts along all the roads leading to Alanganallur in order to prevent protesters from reaching the village, a large number of youth managed to get there by traversing the interior roads along other villages or walking through the fields.
Earlier in the day, the police allowed a few temple
bulls to be brought near the arena, where jallikattu was traditionally held on the second day
after Pongal. One of the bulls was let loose amidst the crowd, and the police
had a tough time bringing it under control. Meanwhile, around 1,000 people from
nearby Pudupatti village took out a procession with two jallikattu bulls towards
Alanganallur, have joined later by a large group of youngsters.
