Suspected substance abusers torched six vehicles and set afire or vandalised eight shops at Matialli in Jalpaiguri district early on Tuesday morning.

The Matialli Bazaar Byabsayee Samiti observed a strike in the area on Tuesday to protest the incident that occurred near the police station. One person has been arrested in connection with the arson and the vandalism.

Residents of the market area were woken up around 3.30am by sounds flames engulfing the vehicles and the shops. Along with the local people, a fire engine from Malbazar doused the blaze.

“We suspect some drug addicts who demand money from us were behind the incident. We had refused to give them money recently,” said Sushil Sarkar, a local trader.

He alleged that anti-socials consumed liquor and drugs in the open and no initiative had been taken by the police to rein in them.

Dilip Guha Roy, the secretary of the traders’ association, said the total loss was around Rs 15 lakh. “All those involved in the attack should be arrested. We observed a business strike today and if no steps are taken, we will launch a movement,” said Roy.

Sudhangshu Mondal, a local resident, said three youths had been seeing running away at the time of the attack.

“Shops selling grocery, cosmetics, cellphones and tyres have been set on fire. SUVs were among the vehicles burnt down. We are surprised that anti-socials could commit such a crime a stone’s throw from the police station,” said Ashrita Lakra, a member of the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad from Matialli, which is around 30km from here.

She demanded intensified police patrolling in the area.

The Matialli police said they were probing the case. “One person has been arrested. Searches are on to round up others. We are also trying to find out the motive behind the arson and the vandalism,” said a police officer.