SHAH ALAM, Nov 27 — Several people were injured following a clash between two groups of men in an incident caused by a herd of grazing cows.

Selangor police chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said the case came to a head on Wednesday when about 30 cows entered a vegetable farm in Kampung Baru, Sabak Bernam.

He said this angered a group of 10 to 15 farmers, who went to the house of one of the herders in the same village armed with sticks and smashed windows of a car and damaged a few motorcycles in front the house.

“Three farmers from the same group also entered the house and soiled it with mud, broke windows and fled with RM23,000,” Abdul Samah said.

In retaliation, the herders went to one of the farmer’s house an hour later in a three-tonne lorry. 

“The men, who were armed with parang, damaged three cars and a few motorcycles. A group of men in front the house, including the home owner, fled when the herders arrived.”

Abdul Samah said police launched an operation and detained 20 men, 10 from each group, aged between 22 and 40.

“The feud between the two groups is actually a small issue that has been going on for some time. I have instructed the district police chief to have a meeting with the two groups to resolve the matter amicably.”

Abdul Samah said police were still looking for other people from both groups to assist investigations.

“We will conduct a thorough investigation before proceeding to charge the suspects involved in the incident.”

Prior to the arrests, police had stationed a patrol unit and a police light-strike force team at both houses where the attacks took place.

Road blocks were also set up to stop suspects from leaving Sabak Bernam.