Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir People's Freedom League (JKPFL), denounced Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) fanatics for their decision to hoist Indian flag at Lal Chowk Srinagar on January 26, terming it India's frustration and political defeat in Kashmir. In a statement, he said that a two-third area of Jammu and Kashmir was under India's illegal military occupation since 1947, and now communalists of the Hindu organization wanted to gain political leverage in Delhi by such a senseless step in Srinagar, which could not be carried out without imposing curfew in Srinagar on the Black Day. "The popular movement of freedom for Jammu and Kashmir will not kneel down by this threat or political gimmick," he said. Commenting upon the statements and counter-statements of India's Secretary Home G. K. Pillai and General V. K Singh the Indian army chief on the reduction of Indian regular armed forces in Jammu and Kashmir, Rehmani said that ultimately army chief's word would carry weight as the Indian Army had unbridled powers in Jammu and Kashmir under the Disturbed Areas Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act; and have had gained all the personal and strategic dividends by using these repressive laws against the people of Kashmir during the last 20 years, although an overwhelming majority of the Kashmiris were against Indian rule, and their inhuman and draconian laws in Kashmir. He said that even if some importance may be attached to the statement of the Home Ministry of India, still the Kashmir issue would not move towards its resolution by a scanty 25 percent of troop's reduction in the state. However it could be possible if India decided to withdraw its forces from Kashmir under a phase- wise program and simultaneously repealed all the black laws currently in vogue there, he said. He said that the Kashmiris struggle for freedom was not a problem of children whom one could woo by offering toys and lollipop. He further said that in order to gain confidence of the people over the proposed bilateral talks it could be a part of Indian strategy. But India should learn that a nation having sacrificed precious human lives during its struggle could never be ensnared, he said. He again reminded that in Jammu and Kashmir Indian armed forces paratroopers, and police were not only enemies of people's freedom but they were also the enemies of humanity and civilization. They enjoyed by humiliating and beating Kashmiris in their homes, streets and roads every day, therefore only military pull- out from Kashmir would pave a way for a durable peace in the wounded region, he said. NNI