The Chief Minister of West Bengal and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee has claimed she can expeditiously solve the Kashmir problem, The Statesman reported.

According to a report published by The Statesman said Mamata spoke on her plans to solve the Kashmir issue during the release of her party’s manifesto.

In clear evidence that she nurses national ambitions, Trinamool manifesto included promises on simplification of the GST, the revival of the Planning Commission, inresolving the Kashmir issue, and 200 days’ work with double the pay for MGNREGA workers.

On the Kashmir issue, Trinamool manifesto said “To restore peace in Kashmir, we will take the nation’s consent, trust and faith by our side. And we shall proceed towards a brighter future in this respect”.

“Send me to Kashmir. I will stay there for a few months and try to solve the problem,” Mamata Banerjee said on her time-bound plan to resolve the Kashmir issue.

Mamata claimed that her experience in tackling the Maoists menace in Junglemahal and the conflict in the Darjeeling hills provides her with the necessary experience to solve the Kashmir issue.

She said that after the regime change at centre, she will discuss her plan with the leaders of Mahagathbandhan and initiate a move to “resolve the Kashmir problem”.

“Peace and harmony should be restored in Kashmir at any cost. If the leaders want, they can send me to Kashmir. I don’t want any chair for that. I’ll stay in Kashmir for a few months and will try to end the impasse by taking women, youth and students into confidence,” The report quoted Mamta as having said.

When asked whether it was possible to restore peace in Kashmir valley, Mamata said “Nothing is impossible. If you have the political will, you can restore peace in the Valley”.

“People never believed that peace can return to Junglemahal. But I’ve taken the people into confidence, initiated different development projects and distributed rice at Rs 2 per kg through the public distribution system. I restored peace in Junglemahal,” The Statesman quoted Banerjee as having said.

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, March 28: One militant has been killed in ongoing operation after gunfight broke out between Government forces and militants on Thursday in Yaroo village of Langate, Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

A senior Police officer told GNS that apparently one militant has been killed as his body is visible at encounter site.

The officer said that operation is still in progress as there could be more militants present.

Reports reaching GNS that the house were militants were hiding has been blasted.

Meanwhile Internet was suspended yesterday in Sopore and Handwara for precautionary measures. (GNS)

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, March 27 : Government forces on Wednesday night laid concertina wires and installed generator sets for lighting purpose in Yaroo village of Langate, Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district where earlier a search and cordon operation was launched.

Reports reaching GNS said that additional reinforcements of the army and Special Operation Group of police have been rushed to Yaroo village in Langate area as chances of an encounter between forces and militants believed to be holed up are rife.

In wake of the possibility of the gunfight, the authorities have snapped internet services in twin police districts of Handwara and Sopore.

A police officer also confirmed it and said that some warning shots were fired by the forces towards the suspected spot, however, there was no response from the other side so far.

Earlier, army’s 30 RR and SOG have launched a cordon-and-search operation at Yaroo village following specific information about the presence of two militants inside a residential house. (GNS)