As many as 19 cattle were killed when a container carrying them turned turtle at Rathia Chhack on NH-16 under the Dharmasala police station in Jajpur district on Monday morning.
The cattle were being illegally transported to Kolkata from Khordha. Police reached the spot and seized the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle managed to flee from the spot.
“We have detained the owner of the vehicle. Police are investigating the case,” said Jajpur Superintendent of Police Charana Singh Meena.
Tension prevailed at Rathia Chhack and its nearby areas after locals found the dead cows at the accident spot.
The animals were jam-packed in the vehicle and some were trampled upon by others as there was little space in the vehicle.