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Sylhet Referendum, 1947 As per the government declaration
of 3rd July 1947 the date for holding the referendum in Sylhet was fixed
on the 6th and 7th July 1947. The referendum became necessary to decide
whether Sylhet would go to East Bengal or remain within Assam, a province
of India. HC Stork was appointed the Referendum Commissioner to conduct
the secret ballot. 478 Presiding Officers and 1434 Poling Officers were
appointed for 239 poling centres. The results of the referendum were as
follows:
|
Name of Subdivision
|
Total
Number of Voters |
Votes
cast in favour of East Bengal |
Votes
cast in favour of Assam |
|
Sylhet
(North)
|
141131
|
68381
|
38871
|
|
Karimganj
|
100243
|
41262
|
40536
|
|
Habiganj
|
135526
|
54543
|
36952
|
|
Sylhet
(South) ie Maulvi Bazar |
79024
|
31718
|
33471
|
|
Sunamganj
|
90891
|
43715
|
34211
|
|
Total
|
546815
|
239619
|
184041
|
So there was a clear majority for Sylhet acceding to East Bengal.
The referendum was acknowledged by Article 3 of the India Independence
Act of 18 July 1947. By the radcliffe
award published on 12 August 1947 some Muslim majority thanas
of Karimganj were given to India. [Dewan Nurul Anwar Husain Chowdhury]
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