Dhaka, Feb. 26 -- Without warning or explanation, the Bangla Academy has left poet Mohon Raihan empty-handed at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, withholding the literature award for which he had been selected.

The poet left the ceremony bewildered, alleging that a decades-old poem about Colonel Taher had barred him from receiving the honour.

Mohon said he was informed at the ceremony that he would not be given the award, despite rehearsing to receive it the previous evening.

"I do not even know whether the award has been cancelled. If it has been cancelled, there should be a government gazette notification. I have not received any," the poet said.

He added, "Officials of Bangla Academy told me that the decision came from the highest level ...