Daijiworld Media Network - Haveri (SP)

Haveri, Jan 10: In spite of prevalence of ban against holding the traditional folk sport of scaring away bulls, it was organized in Masur village in Hirekerur taluk of Haveri district. A spectator was gored to death on this occasion by a bull.

The deceased has been identified as Arunkumar Channappa Mattikote (48) from  Mattikote in Shikaripur taluk, Shivamogga district.

This dangerous folk sport had been organized as per tradition on the night of Monday, January 8. One of the competing bulls turned panicky and dashed towards the spectators. Its horn directly pierced Arunkumar in his stomach. He was seriously injured and lost  his life before he could be taken to hospital. In this incident, two others suffered minor injuries, and both of them stand admitted into the taluk hospital at Hirekerur.

Many have criticized Durgadevi  committee at Masur for organizing the event in spite of clear ban placed on this sport by the court.

This is a dangerous sport and during last year's event a few people had died in the district, as this competition is held at several villages across Haveri district. In this season, one person had died at the opening event. A number of people have asked the district administration to stop such events being held in the name of tradition. There is also demand for disbanding of the said committee and taking action against its members.

Ranebennur deputy superintendent of police, Anilkumar Bhoomareddy said that as soon as the department got information that Durgadevi committee had planned to hold this competition in Masur, five leading personalities from the area were summoned and told to cancel the event. He said that the leaders were told that holding the competition is against law and a  notice through the tahsildar under section 107 was also served. Noting that the committee overlooked these steps and went ahead with organizing of the event, he said that legal steps will be taken against the guilty.

In the past, no cases were registered in case of such deaths on account of the prestige of the organizers at stake and pressure from influential politicians.  It has to be seen what steps the police will take in the case of Arunkumar's death.