The police on Tuesday managed to thwart attempts to sacrifice buffaloes at a festival at Madhurakaliamman temple in Thottiyam.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made for the annual festival where the animal sacrifice ritual was attempted by the devotees as part of fulfilment of vows.

The 10-day festival which commenced late last month concludes on Wednesday.

Police sources said check posts were established at various places bordering Tiruchi to prevent buffaloes and calves from being transported for the festival.

Vehicles transporting the animals from neighbouring districts such as Salem, Namakkal, Ariyalur and Perambalur, and those being brought from different places in Tiruchi were stopped at the district borders and sent back, a senior police officer said.

Police teams from Perambalur, Ariyalur, Pudukottai and Karur districts, apart from the Armed Reserve and Tamil Nadu Special Police, were drafted to shore up security for the festival.