From correspondents in Uttar Pradesh, India, 07:32 PM IST

About 20 cows died and over 50 took ill after they consumed some poisonous weed in a village in Jaunpur district in Uttar Pradesh Thursday, the police said.

Veterinary doctors who were rushed from adjoining districts suspect the cows chewed dry `Bajri' grass. Samples of the grass were sent to a medical laboratory for tests.

The incident took place in Barecha village where a shepherd took about 150 cows for grazing in the jungles on the outskirts.

'While 20 cows died within half hour of grazing, about 50 fell ill and are under treatment. A post-mortem has been conducted,' police officer N.N. Kumar told IANS.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)