A team of two publishers and three authors from Pakistan had sent in applications to the authorities of the Kolkata Book Fair for participating in the fair. Accordingly, the book fair authorities allotted a special pavilion for Pakistani literature.

“We received the application from a team from Pakistan which wanted to participate in the fair. We spoke to the Union home ministry so that they were allowed visas. Initially, there was no problem. We got the confirmation about the participation of the Pakistani team. However, at the last moment, their visas were cancelled,” said Sibendu Bhattacharjee, spokesperson, Kolkata Book Fair.

A senior police officer, on the condition of anonymity, said: “As

per information we have from the Union home ministry, the visas had some problems that were detected during verification.