Protests rocked several places in Malda district on Wednesday as villagers alleged hoarding of food grains and scanty distribution of relief materials by rural bodies and ration dealers.

Hundreds of women confined Trinamul Congress member of Jadupur 2 panchayat Sanaka Mandal, alleging that she had a tacit understanding with the local ration dealer. They said the dealer was denying them their dues quantity of grains.

Purnima Majumdar, one of the demonstrators, said: “Because of the lockdown, we have little amount of grains at home. Even children are virtually starving. The ration dealer is not providing us with full quantity of rice, wheat and other kitchen essentials as announced by the chief minister. We have been told that the residual amount would be distributed from the panchayat. This is incorrect and we are being deprived of adequate food grains, with the panchayat member and the ration dealer passing on the buck to each other.”

Sazzad Ali, the head of the rural body, faced the ire of 300-odd women when he arrived.

Englishbazar block officials also arrived and assured the agitators that their grievances would be looked into. Then, the protest was withdrawn.

A ration dealer, Emadur Rahaman, virtually fled at Mahishbathan in Old Malda when a group of people agitated in front of his shop. The residents like Aleknur Bibi and Badeur Rahaman alleged that Rahaman was not dispensing the due quantity of rice and wheat.

“I have less stock and hence, I could not deliver the full quantity of goods to each of them. I am trying to procure the remaining stock,” the dealer said.

Police had to rush to the spot to control the situation.