Tezpur, May 23: Normal life was today paralysed in Sonitpur on account of the district bandh called by All Assam Students Union (AASU) to protest the deputy commissioner's alleged decision to grant permanent residential certificates to illegal immigrants. Nearly 150 supporters of the student body were arrested as picketeers pelted stones on some government-owned buses during the 12-hr long bandh. Most of the business houses and education institutions remained closed and attendance in government offices thin, official sources said. The bandh was called by AASU's Sonitpur district unit to protest against the alleged decision by deputy commissioner Dr M Ariz Ahmed to grant permanent residential certificates and land deeds to suspected foreigners in the riverine areas. The deputy commissioner has refuted the allegation made by the student body.

Meanwhile B K Gohain, state home commissioner, has denied that Dr Ahmed had taken prior permission from the government for issuing the certificates as no such document was issued in the last ten years except for those involved in higher studies.

Bureau Report