Jammu, Dec 3 (IANS) Police used batons and tear smoke to disperse protesters on Monday after cow vigilantes torched a truck carrying bovine animals in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district -- after setting them free.

Police said the truck was transporting cows and buffaloes in Pathwal village of Hiranagar area.

The driver and helper of the truck escaped after abandoning it when a mob stopped the vehicle alleging that bovine animals were being carried for smuggling.

The protesters freed the animals and later torched the truck.

"The protesters tried to block the Jammu-Pathankot highway. Police used batons and tear smoke to clear the highway," a police officer said.

--IANS
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