Majid Ahmad
Srinagar, Sept 4: With militants threatening to attack September 7 concert of noted music conductor Zubin Mehta, authorities have decided to provide three-tier security for the Bavarian orchestra between Srinagar Airport and Shalimar Garden where the event is secluded to take place. "The area from the airport to Shalimar garden will be heavily fortified and a number of police and paramilitary forces would be deployed. Sniffer dogs, Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs), high-tech access control equipment and human surveillance are in place to secure the area," a police official told Early Times.
"Both modern gadgetry and manpower have also been employed in and around the Shalimar Bagh. Police teams in plainclothes have been spread in Srinagar and sharp shooters have been deployed at all high-rise buildings in the city to meet any eventuality," he added.
Those attending the concert include high-profile government functionaries and security agencies. The show is being organised by the German embassy and will be telecast live in Europe and India. A national news agency had a few days back received a joint statement from three militant organisations, threatening to target the show. The organisations, Al Nasireen, Shohada Brigade and Farzandan-e-Millat, asked people to stay away from the concert or face dire consequences. The statement issued via fax has asked the German embassy to cancel the concert. Sources said that the organisations serve as a front for the Hizbul Mujahideen as these names have surfaced many times in the past when top militant organizations didn't want their names to come up. "About a decade ago, Al Nasireen used to claim responsibility for many killings and attacks," they added. Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has already called for a complete shutdown and civil curfew on September 7 against the concert. He has also supported the pro-azadi civil society group's move to organise a parallel programme on September 7, when Mehta's concert is scheduled. The civil society's programme, titled 'Haqeeqat-e-Kashmir' is open to all artists, including musicals and painters who will showcase their works about Kashmir. |
