Tensions continue to simmer in Malda as protests over the exclusion of names from the voter list spread to different parts of the district. Following yesterday’s unprecedented violence in Mothabari, fresh unrest broke out this morning in the Mangalbari area of Old Malda block.

Protesters blocked National Highway 12 near the Narayanpur BSF camp, causing massive traffic snarls. The agitating locals alleged that the Election Commission is deliberately targeting and removing names of a specific community, particularly Muslims, from the supplementary voter list. The accusations of communal bias have added fuel to the already volatile situation.

A large contingent of police and central forces has been deployed to the area to prevent any further escalation of violence. While the administration is trying to restore normalcy, the widespread anger among citizens regarding the voter list discrepancies remains a major challenge for the authorities.