Two days ahead of the unique symphonic orchestra conducted by world-famous maestro Zubin Mehta at the lawns of Shalimar Garden here on the banks of Dal lake, security has been beefed up in an around the Mughal Garden even as helicopters hovered over the place for reconnaissance.
United Jehad Coucil, a Muzaffarabad-based grouping of militant outfits led by Hizbul Mujahideen chief Salahuddin is the latest separatist front to resent Mehta’s concert adding a serious security threat to the controversial event. Hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani has called for a shutdown on September 7 when the concert is scheduled and peaceful protests on Friday afternoon.
The heritage garden has been closed for public and even mediapersons were not allowed to venture in on Thursday. Security officials said that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to thwart any attempt to disrupt the concert. A battery of diplomats, top Government functionaries and corporate heads are expected to watch the performance, which would be telecast live through in India and Europe through special broadcast tie-ups.
Organised by Embassy of Germany, the symphonic orchestra from Munich would present in full cast works of Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky. The “Concert for Kashmir” has been titled Ehsaas-e-Kashmir or the Feel of Kashmir to reach out to the people of Kashmir with hope and encouragement.
Sources said that sharpshooters have taken over at least 50 houses in the vicinity of Shalimar garden to keep a round-the-clock vigil. Patrolling parties rowed motorboats in Dal lake to sanitise the water surface while helicopters hovered over the Zabarwan Mountains, apparently on a security drill.
A group of civil society groups and individuals have organised a parallel concert Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir or Reality of Kashmir to exhibit resistance to Zubin Mehta’s show. “The event will include musical performances, poetry recitals, photography exhibits and other performance art, and is open to the public”, Khurram Parvez, a spokesman of the parallel concert said.
“Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir is both an act of resistance and celebration. The German Ambassador’s interest, and possible attendance at the event, for which he has been invited, does not alter the protest in anyway,” the organisers said in a statement.
Interestingly, the civil society members who wrote to the German Ambassador Micheal Steiner last week to issue a statement to clarify Germany’s stand on Kashmir, has also been invited to the parallel concert. He has not replied to the letter but expressed his willingness to attend the alternate exhibition starting by noon at the Municipal Park on Residency Road. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has indicated that the authorities would not hamper the parallel concert.
Analysts say that smooth conduct of the event, albeit under unprecedented security cover, would showcase normalcy in Kashmir and highlight international endorsement on its claim on Kashmir.