A new protest has begun in Malda, specifically in the Mangalbari area of old Malda block, as individuals claim their names were wrongly removed from the voter list despite possessing valid documents. The agitation led to the blocking of National Highway No. 12 with burning tires and bamboo barricades by the protestors, following a brief opening during the night.
Police teams from Malda police station and CAPF jawans have been stationed at the blockade site to monitor the situation and ensure order. The protests in the old Malda block echo similar demands raised during the Kaliachak protest the day before, with demonstrators expressing discontent over the removal of their names from the voter list despite having all necessary paperwork.
Residents across various areas of Malda have been upset since Wednesday due to the deletion of their names from the voter list, leading to prolonged blockades on the National Highway and the surrounding of Judicial Officers. Although the crowd that gathered in Kaliachal on Wednesday night dispersed by morning, tensions persist, prompting continued street demonstrations.
Since Thursday morning, police pickets have been established in locations where protests occurred the previous night, including along National Highway No. 12 and Malda-Mothabari State Highway. Notably, the area has seen heightened police presence throughout the day, with the Intelligence branch also instructed to remain vigilant in light of the ongoing situation.
It is worth mentioning that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is conducting an election rally in Baishnabnagar in Malda district today, coinciding with the commencement of the fresh protest in the old Malda block. Additionally, the Election Commission of India has requested a report from the Director General of West Bengal Police regarding an incident involving seven Judicial Officers, including three women, who were held hostage by voters dissatisfied with the removal of their names from the voter list.
Reports indicate that the Judicial Officers were rescued after being confined for approximately nine hours, with a significant police presence facilitating their safe extraction. Despite the rescue, there were reports of an attempted attack on the convoy while the officials were being relocated to a secure location. The administration eventually persuaded protesters near Block-I of Kaliachak to lift the blockade by assuring them of efforts to promptly reinstate the deleted names in the voter list.
