Jamshedpur, Nov. 5: The annual Dangri Khuntau (a celebration of cattle for their contribution in good harvest), held at Jaipal Stadium in Karandih, was marked by a minor stampede this evening. However, there were no casualties.

Large number of tribals thronged the playground to see the 30th Khuntau, organised in traditional fervour by the Adivasi Youth Club, Karandih. The festival takes place during the Sohrai festival, a festival of harvest. Tribal women, in traditional attire, dance around a bull tied to the pole to the tune of drumbeats.

Today, a team of drumbeaters and persons equipped with harta (leather) provoked the bull, tied to a pole on an open ground. The bull, dancing to the tune of drumbeats, uprooted the pole to which it was tied and ran towards the cheering crowd. However, the organisers overpowered the bull and prevented a stampede.

General secretary of the Youth Club, Ishwar Soren explained that according to the code of conduct for cattle owners, there could be heavy penalty in store for the owner of the errant bull.