Zubin to perform amidst tight security today; Ehsaas-e-Kashmir at Shalimar: * 25 CRPF companies deployed, * Cops deployed in houses , a top high rise buildings in Shalimar * 1500 guests including diplomats will watch show. Srinagar, Sep 08: The stage is set for international music icon Zubin Mehta’s maiden performance in Srinagar amidst tight security today. Mehta along with his wife arrived here this evening for conducting Munich-based Bavarian State Orchestra at Ehsaas-e-Kashmir (Feel of Kashmir) at Shalimar garden on banks of world famous Dal Lake tomorrow. The 90-minute musical concert has been organised by German Embassy in New Delhi. Official sources said 80-strong contingent of the Orchestra arrived a few hours ahead of their conductor. Zubin Mehta is scheduled to play the composition of Ludwig van Beethoven, the 18th century composer considered as crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music. He will also play compositions of Franz Joseph Haydn, the Austrian composer who is often called the “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet”, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the 19th Century Russian composer whose works included symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and chamber music. He will also be playing a composition of Kashmiri musician Abhay Rustum Sopori, besides compositions of some famous 19th century European musicians. “It is surly a great moment and honours not only for me and my musicians but also for J&K that the Bavarian State Orchestra along with my Kashmiri musicians will present my composition conducted by the music legend Zubin Mehta” Abhay Sopori said. The musical concert, which will be telecast live on DD National, DD India and DD Kashir channels, will start at 5pm. The show, according to organizers, would also be aired live in more than 58 countries including Europe. Meanwhile, the security apparatus has been further tightened around Shalimar garden, the 18th century Mughal garden on the banks of Dal Lake. Police and paramilitary personnel have conducted area domination and sanitisation exercises of the surrounding areas of the venue to thwart any attempt by militants to disrupt the concert. “We are not taking any chances. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the event passes off smoothly,” a senior police official said. The cops have sealed all roads leading to the venue and the hotels where members of the Bavarian State Orchestra and the diplomats invited for the concert will be staying. The 14-km route from the city to the Mughal garden is witnessing tight security too. Metal detectors have been set up at the site of the concert, while sniffer dogs, too, have been deployed near the venue. CCTVs have also been installed in the area. The Dal Lake is being monitored continuously by police and CRPF men and no civilian movement is being allowed inside the lake anywhere in the radius of three km from the bank where the garden is located. The sharp-shooters have been deployed in high rise buildings around the Shalimar garden to keep a close watch on the movement of people. A police official said about 1,200-1500 guests including envoys of European countries, central ministers, bureaucrats industrialists, sports and Bollywood stars will attend the concert. He said after 1 PM, when the selected guests would be ferried to the venue, the Shalimar area would be sanitized against to thwart any untoward incident. The traffic department has imposed the restrictions over traffic movement after 1 PM on Gupkar road, Boulevard road to allow hassle free movement of high profile guests. “Only the people with invitation cards would be allowed to move on these roads. There will be complete restriction on public transport. In case of emergency, people should contact us for facilitation,” said SP traffic Haseeb-u-Rehman. Meanwhile, CRPF spokesman Kishore Prasad said at least 25 CRPF companies have been deployed in Srinagar to ensure smooth conduct of Zubin Mehta’s musical concert today. He said CRPF has deployed its Quick Action Team (QAT) in and around Shalimar to deal with any eventuality. Kishore said the paramilitary personnel have set up 25 check- points in Srinagar for frisking purposes. “Our men are doing random checking and frisking of people and vehicles. The security has been beefed in the same way as we beef it up on special occasions like August 15, January 26 or arrival of Prime Minister,” he said. He said all possible measures have been taken to prevent staging of protests during Zubin Mehta’s visit or concert in Kashmir. “We have been working in coordination with the police. Shalimar and its adjacent areas have already been sealed and security men have even been deployed inside the houses and atop high rise buildings,” added CRPF spokesman. The residents of Shalimar have expressed anger over deploying of police and paramilitary personnel in their houses. “This is violation of human rights and violation of our privacy,” said a delegation of residents of Shalimar area. They said the security men have completely taken over the area and restricted their movement. “We have been virtually confined to our homes and told not to move out today till the musical concert ends”..!!
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 00:46:50 +0000
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