Around 25 cows were found dead yesterday near a factory on Barnala-Mansa road in Joga village, about 175 km from here, Mansa SSP Sukhdev Singh said.
As the news spread, the villagers went on a rampage and damaged the factory.
Sensing trouble, the authorities clamped curfew in the village and deployed additional forces.
Meanwhile, police today arrested three persons in connection with the case, Singh said.
One of their accomplices is on the run, Mansa Deputy Commissioner Amit Dhaka said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a statement criticised the incident and appealed to the people to maintain peace, amity and communal harmony.
He said strict action will be taken against those involved in the crime.
Badal also ordered suspension of Mansa SSP with immediate effect for dereliction of duty.