The April 1 protests in Malda, West Bengal, escalated into a law-and-order crisis, with judicial officers trapped and highways blocked. Preliminary findings by the National Investigation Agency suggest the unrest may have been planned, highlighting coordination through local mosques, e-rickshaw announcements, and crowd management patterns. The Supreme Court has criticised administrative delays, while FIRs have named over 100 individuals. This explainer examines the NIA’s probe, the security lapses, and the wider implications for governance and election preparedness in the state.