20 cows killed as cattle-laden truck skids into river in Odisha

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Salepur, July 11:

In a tragic incident, 20 cows were killed and several other animals were injured when a cattle-laden truck skidded off into river Gobari after hitting an eatery shop in the wee hours today in Odisha’s Cuttack district.

According to reports, the driver of the cattle-laden truck lost control over the wheel and ran into a roadside eatery before skidding into the river. The shopkeeper and his son who were asleep inside the shop at the time of the incident have also been critically injured in the accident and admitted in the Mahanga Primary Health Centre (PHC).

The truck was heading towards Bhadrak from Sakarapada area of Nischintakoili block and the accident occurred at Parswalundagarh under Mahanga block.

Tension erupted in the area following the incident.

Irate people set the truck afire and blocked the Salepur-Kuanpal road demanding ban on late night illegal cow transportation besides compensation to the injured father-son duo.

Police reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The blockade was lifted after police intervention.

Locals handed over the cow traders–Sheikh Rabil and Sheikh Janu to police. More than 60 cows were rescued by the local people.