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| Kashmir set for landmark Zubin Mehta concert | Kashmir set for landmark Zubin Mehta concert |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Renowned Indian conductor Zubin Mehta is set to conduct a concert by the Bavarian State Orchestra in Indian-controlled Kashmir. | |
| Hosted by the German embassy in the Shalimar Gardens, it is expected to be attended by 1,500 guests. | Hosted by the German embassy in the Shalimar Gardens, it is expected to be attended by 1,500 guests. |
| Zubin Mehta has said that he hopes "to spread the message of peace with this performance". | Zubin Mehta has said that he hopes "to spread the message of peace with this performance". |
| But separatist groups say the concert in effect legitimises Delhi's rule and papers over a recent spike of violence. | But separatist groups say the concert in effect legitimises Delhi's rule and papers over a recent spike of violence. |
| "Legitimising an occupation via a musical concert is completely unacceptable," activist Khurram Parvez told the BBC's Geeta Pandey in Srinagar. | "Legitimising an occupation via a musical concert is completely unacceptable," activist Khurram Parvez told the BBC's Geeta Pandey in Srinagar. |
| Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989. | Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen an armed insurgency against Indian rule since 1989. |
| In recent years violence in Kashmir has abated from its peak in the 1990s, but the causes of the insurgency are still far from resolved. | In recent years violence in Kashmir has abated from its peak in the 1990s, but the causes of the insurgency are still far from resolved. |
| Speaking in the Indian capital, Delhi, a day before the concert, Mehta said: "I hope to have the blessings of the people as music is the only language I know and hope to spread the message of peace with this performance." | Speaking in the Indian capital, Delhi, a day before the concert, Mehta said: "I hope to have the blessings of the people as music is the only language I know and hope to spread the message of peace with this performance." |
| The German ambassador said it aimed to "reach the hearts of the Kashmiris with a message of hope and encouragement". | The German ambassador said it aimed to "reach the hearts of the Kashmiris with a message of hope and encouragement". |
| The concert will be broadcast live on dozens of television stations around the world, reports say. | The concert will be broadcast live on dozens of television stations around the world, reports say. |
| 'Alternative concert' | 'Alternative concert' |
| Our correspondent says workers spent Friday giving finishing touches to the huge stage, checking the lights and the sound systems and making sure the dozens of fountains work. | Our correspondent says workers spent Friday giving finishing touches to the huge stage, checking the lights and the sound systems and making sure the dozens of fountains work. |
| Security is tight in Srinagar with a large number of police and paramilitaries deployed on the roads leading up to the concert venue, our correspondent adds. | Security is tight in Srinagar with a large number of police and paramilitaries deployed on the roads leading up to the concert venue, our correspondent adds. |
| Checkpoints have been put up near the Dal Lake and all vehicles are being checked and people are being frisked before being allowed in. | Checkpoints have been put up near the Dal Lake and all vehicles are being checked and people are being frisked before being allowed in. |
| Kashmir's police chief Abdul Ghani Mir told the BBC that all security measures were in place for the concert. | Kashmir's police chief Abdul Ghani Mir told the BBC that all security measures were in place for the concert. |
| Veteran separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called a day-long strike on Saturday. | Veteran separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called a day-long strike on Saturday. |
| Some rights activists have announced an alternative concert on the day, but that is yet to receive official clearance. | Some rights activists have announced an alternative concert on the day, but that is yet to receive official clearance. |