Madurai, Jan 17 (Reporter) Seventy eight persons, including bull tamers, police personnel and spectators were injured, 11 of them grievously in the World-renowned “Jallikattu” (taming of bulls) event held at Alanganallur in this district on Wednesday. The Jallikattu event in Alanganallur, about 20 kms from Madurai is organised every year on the third day of Tamil month ‘Thai.’ Though Jallikattu events are held in several rural parts of Tamil Nadu every year as part of the Pongal festivities, Alanganallur is renowned for the event as it is a centre of attraction. Tens of thousands of people, including foreigners, congregate to watch this traditional bravery sports of Tamils. Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin flagged off the event in the presence of Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration P.Moorthy, Minister for Fisheries Anitha R.Radhakrishnan and district Collector M.S.Sangeetha, besides Tamil celebrities, this morning. Eleven grievously injured were admitted to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment. An agile youth, Karthik from Karuppayurani village, who tamed 18 bulls in the event emerged as the best bull tamer and was awarded a car on behalf of Chief Minister M.K.Stalin. Similarly, a bull namely ‘Kattappa’ was adjudged as the best performing bull and was given a car as prize. Besides, gold coins, motorcycles, bicycles, household articles were presented to the bull tamers and bull owners. A controversy erupted after the end of the event, as the runner-up Abi Siddhar from Sivaganga district claimed that he tamed 25 bulls, but however the organising committee had wrongly declared that he tamed only 17 bulls. I have video proof and will move the Court to get justice, he said and added the car prize is not necessary for him, instead he should be declared as the winner. Speaking to reporters after the prize distribution ceremony, Mr.Moorthy refuted the allegation and said the decisions were taken as per the rule, without any bias whether it is a bull tamer or bull. Reports reaching here said atleast 47 persons were injured in the Jallikattu event held at Vanniyanviduthi village in Pudukottai district...////...