Anger spilled onto the National Highway in Malda town after traders launched a sit-in protest against the alleged demolition of shops using a bulldozer in the early hours of Monday. The protesters have demanded the immediate arrest of the main accused promoter, warning that if action is not taken within two days, they will call for a district-wide trade shutdown next Saturday.
The incident reportedly took place around 2:30 am when an influential promoter, identified as Rajiv Sharma and alleged to be close to the ruling party, carried out the demolition using a JCB. In the operation, nine shops, a two-storey warehouse and two offices were reduced to rubble. Traders have further alleged that valuables and goods stored inside the establishments were looted during the action.
Within hours, 12 trader families were left without shelter and stripped of their primary source of livelihood. The protest has intensified tensions in the area, with affected traders insisting on strict legal action and compensation for their losses.