Vaniyakulam: It was a day as usual at the cattle market in Vaniyakulam in Palakkad on Thursday. Cattle traders were already into their business and the place was abuzz with transactions and bargain. But the atmosphere suddenly turned virulent when a buffalo brought to the cattle market ran amok.

The animal, which escaped from Vaniyakulam, finally stopped hours later near the Kochi bridge at Shoranur causing panic along a 10-kilometre stretch. The incident occurred yesterday morning around 10 AM. Vipin, a native of Vaniyakulam, had purchased the buffalo from a vendor from another state at the Vaniyakulam cattle market. While shifting the animal onto a vehicle, it broke free and ran amok along the Palakkad-Kulappully Road.

The buffalo sprinted along the main road from Vaniyakulam to Kulappully and then moved onto the road by Aariyanchira School, frightening passengers who ran for cover. It continued its path to Shoranur Road near Kulappully Metal Industries. By 4 PM, the buffalo had reached the Kochi bridge, where it got trapped in a swamp. Despite firefighters from Shoranur attempting to capture it using a rope noose, the attempt failed. Later, Vipin and his friends from Vaniyakulam successfully rescued the buffalo from the swamp.

Reward spurs youngsters to chase buffalo
After the owner declared a reward for restraining the buffalo, many youngsters sped after the animal on their motorcycles. Though Shefeek, a tea shop owner in Vaniyakulam and his friend Kashinathan made several attempts, they were unable to catch the buffalo.

 Road users run for cover
The buffalo’s rampage through busy Vaniyakulam left onlookers terrified. Passengers waiting for buses fled in panic and some even abandoned their vehicles. The buffalo charged at a motorcyclist near Kulappully. Although it trigerred fear along the 10-kilometre stretch, the buffalo did not inflict any significant damage.