Sylhet book fair cancelled over 'fear of mob attack'

The Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) has revoked permission for a week-long book fair organised by the Publisher's Council Sylhet, citing fears of a mob attack. The decision came just a day after the initial approval was granted.

The fair was scheduled to be held from Friday, April 24 to May 2 at the Central Shaheed Minar premises in Sylhet. In a letter, SMP said the permission had been cancelled considering the current law and order situation.

Publishers' Council Sylhet General Secretary Sufi Sufian said in a media release on Thursday night that all preparations for the fair had been completed. He said publishers had suffered significant financial losses due to the sudden cancellation.

While police cited a deteriorating law and order situation, participating publishers alleged that a particular quarter was attempting to create a mob attack at the fair.

A similar situation had led to the cancellation of a book fair scheduled for February 7-15 last year during the interim government's tenure. The cancellation of the fair under the elected government has now caused concern among publishers and writers.

In a media release sent late Thursday night under the banner of 'local cultural activists and leaders who believe in nationalist ideology', allegations were made against the fair, claiming that a "banned organisation" had been given space and that controversial publications had been included.

The release also said that Sajan Ahmed Saju, a former member of the BNP Sylhet division's cultural sub-committee, and Jubayer Ahmed, vice-president of Sylhet Metropolitan Chhatra Dal, had filed written complaints with the Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner demanding action against "cultural fascists" and "Awami supporters" while also warning of resistance against the fair.