Tension prevailed for a while, when two activists of Adhi Tamilar Peravai appreared with severed heads of cows during a demonstration against the Centre’s notification of banning sale of cattle for slaughter.

As a group of activists took out a march from Red Cross building to South Taluk Office, police prevented them and took them into custody.

They raised slogans against the Government’s decision, which they said ‘seriously affected the farmers’.

The agitators also condemned the State government for not opposing the notification.

Suddenly two persons appeared with severed heads of cow in their hands, triggering tension. Police personnel rushed to them and snatched the heads and removed them from the spot.

Twenty-two activists were arrested and later released, police said.