The Hindu : National : Junoon set to perform amid protest

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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Junoon set to perform amid protest

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: The Lahore-based band “Junoon” is all set to perform in Srinagar on Sunday amid protest by separatists who have expressed concern over opening Kashmir to delegates from SAARC countries.

While Syed Ali Geelani has called for a shutdown on Saturday, the United Jehad Council, an umbrella group of militant organisations, has asked the Pakistani government to stop the band from performing in Kashmir.

But the event has caught on with youngsters in the Valley who are keen on watching the performance on the lawns of the S. K. International Conference Centre on the banks of the Dal Lake. The band, along with the Canada-based Singhs Group, is arriving here under the aegis of the South Asian Foundation (SAF) founded by UNESCO goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.

Nearly 60 delegates from the SAARC civil society are expected to be part of the programme.

An estimated 10,000 Kashmiri students will witness the performance but, sources said, more than double that number are keen on attending the event.

However, the organisers have limited the number of invitees in view of President Pratibha Patil’s five-day visit to Kashmir.

Even as preparations have been completed for the Junoon performance, Mr. Geelani issued advertisements in leading dailies of Kashmir, asking people to make the strike call a success.

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