The simmering tension in Malda boiled over once again on Thursday morning as protesters blocked National Highway 12 at Mangalbari, burning tyres and erecting bamboo barricades. Following Wednesday’s high-drama incident where seven judicial officers were held hostage for over seven hours at the Kaliachak-2 BDO office, fresh demonstrations broke out over the alleged mass deletion of names from the voter list. The agitators have issued a stern warning: “No solution, no vote,” threatening a complete boycott of the 2026 elections.

Massive police contingents and Central Para-military Forces have been rushed to the spot to maintain order. The timing of the unrest is critical, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to address a public meeting in Vaishnavnagar later today. While the administration has promised to look into the grievances within four days, the local populace remains skeptical. One youth, identified as Alam Sheikh, was reportedly injured during Wednesday’s late-night clashes and is currently undergoing treatment. With sensitive zones under tight surveillance and intelligence wings on high alert, Malda continues to sit on a powder keg of political and social unrest.