Bashir Assad
Srinagar, Sept 6: The Bavarian State Orchestra and Indian-born conductor Zubin Mehta arrived here in Srinagar from Delhi this afternoon along with his band comprising of 100 odd musicians.
Zubin Mehta along with German Ambassador Micheal Steiner and his wife and Mehta's band arrived here this afternoon in a special plane from Delhi. Sources said BJP leader Jaswant Singh also arrived here in the evening.
It merits a mention here that leading film personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Shabana Azmi and legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar are reported to be among the 1000 odd 'VIPs', coming from different states, who have been invited to the Zubin Mehta concert here on September 7.
Many foreign diplomats based in New Delhi, including the Pakistani High Commissioner Salman Bashir, and prominent business persons of India like the Ambanis, the Birlas and the Tatas, are also expected to be seated on front rows of the make shift auditorium that has been put up at famous Mughal garden of Kashmir, Shalimar Bagh.
According to reports, Omar Abdullah led state government, on its behalf, has 'invited' some 500 odd people, mostly ministers, bureaucrats, senior police and security officials, legislators and political activists. Besides, around 100 'respected citizens', drawn from the long list of state's Hospitality and Protocol department are also among the 'fortunate' invitees. However their selection was made only after a thorough screening of their credentials.
Omar Abdullah "has personally invited 35 people from within and outside the state. They include some politicians and television journalists based in New Delhi," the sources said.
Meanwhile apart from the sharp shooters and other security agencies, at least 25 companies of CRPF have been deployed in Srinagar city to pave way for the smooth conduct of Zubin Mehta's musical concert.
CRPF has deployed its 'Quick Action Team' QAT in and around Shalimar to deal with any eventuality. Public Relations Officer, CRPF, Kishor Prasad said that apart from deploying 25 Companies, CRPF has created some 25 check-points for frisking purposes in Srinagar city.
"Our men are doing random checking and frisking of the people. The security has been beefed in the same way as we beef it up on special occasions like 15th of August or the arrival of Prime Minister," Prasad said.
He said that CRPF is taking all possible measures to thwart any protest during the visit of Zubin Mehta in Kashmir. "We have been working in coordination with the police. Shalimar and its adjacent areas have already been sealed while security men have even been deployed inside the houses and on roof-tops," he said. |
