'Bovine carcasses in Chenani town not slaughter'

Jammu: Authorities on Friday asked people to maintain calm in Udhampur district of Jammu region asserting that three bovine carcasses found on Thursday most likely were result of poisoning and not slaughter.

District magistrate Udhampur, Shahid Choudhary and senior superintendent of police (SSP), Suleman Choudhary who visited the tension ridden Chenani town on Thursday have confirmed that three bovine carcasses were found in Chenani were no cuts on the carcasses to indicate slaughter.

"A post mortem of the carcasses has been conducted by veterinary surgeons. There are were no cuts to indicate use of a sharp edged weapon.

"A few dead crows were also found near the carcasses. It was most likely a case of poisoning", the district magistrate said.

Agitated mob had taken to roads in Chenani, Udhampur and Reasi towns on Thursday following rumours about bovine slaughter in Chenani town of Udhampur district, 80 km from winter capital Jammu.

Protesters also blocked the 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway before police swung into action to clear the highway that forms the lifeline of supplies to the landlocked Valley.

Authorities in Jammu city suspended mobile Internet services for sometime on Thursday to prevent rumour mongers from stoking communal passions.

Security force presence has been increased in areas having a mix of Hindu and Muslim population in the city.

"The situation is normal and no untoward incident has been reported from any where in Jammu city", a senior police officer told IANS on Friday in Jammu.