Hundreds of Kashmiris chanted anti-government slogans and hurled stones at police in protest at a court ruling to uphold a colonial-era law banning cow slaughter and sale of beef in the Indian portion of Kashmir, CTV NEWS reported on Friday.

Police fired tear gas and used batons to disperse the protesters who took to the streets after Friday prayers in mosques at Srinagar, Pulwama, Pattan and elsewhere in the region.

A court on Thursday ordered authorities to strictly implement the 1932 law making slaughter of cows punishable with up to 10 years of imprisonment and fine. Indian authorities did not enforce the law for nearly seven decades.