Belagavi: Tension gripped Ainapur town in Kagwad taluk late Monday night after local residents allegedly set fire to a lorry suspected of transporting three tonnes of cow meat. Police have arrested seven people, including those involved in transporting the meat and those accused of torching the vehicle.

According to officials, the lorry was carrying meat from Kudachi in Raibag taluk to Hyderabad. The load, concealed under slabs of ice, was intercepted in Ainapur by a group reportedly linked to Hindu organisations, who set the truck ablaze. By the time police arrived, the vehicle was reduced to ashes. The driver and cleaner were also assaulted and sustained injuries.

District Superintendent of Police (SP) Bheemashankar Guled confirmed the arrests. The alleged transporters, Vikas Ware and

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