West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of harassing local youths in Malda while the actual perpetrators behind the hostage crisis of judicial officers have escaped. During a rally in Manikchak, she stated that two communal parties were responsible for the hostage situation and criticized the NIA for arresting innocent individuals in the name of the investigation. Banerjee highlighted that around 40-50 youths have been detained and condemned the suppression of dissent, claiming that the government has silenced voices against these actions. She challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to hold a meeting with those wrongfully affected by the electoral roll deletions. The BJP, represented by leader Rahul Sinha, dismissed her claims as unfounded, suggesting that Banerjee is attempting to distract from her party's likely electoral defeat. Malda, a Muslim-majority district, has the second-highest number of pending judicial cases in West Bengal, highlighting the region's legal challenges.