Jammu and Kashmir: In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was disappointed that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which gives the security forces wide latitude in using force, had yet to be revoked. Mr. Abdullah told the newspaper that political leaders in New Delhi didn't want to “overrule the army,†and that the “senior brass of the army is being overly conservative†about ending the law.
West Bengal: The state government on Friday awarded a contract worth 10.3 million rupees, or $186,000, to the Indian technology giant Tata Consultancy Services to provide information and communications technology support for the state's rural employment guaran tee program, Â according to an IANS report on the Business Today Web site.
Bihar: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that he does not consider himself fit for the prime minister's job, India Today reports. The statement from Mr. Kumar, who is seen by many as a strong prospect for the 2014 elections, follows recent remarks by Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader, who said he would not support Mr. Kumar for the top job unless he changed his attitude.
Rajasthan: The police on Wednesday rescued a 13-year-old girl in Alwar district and arrested two human traffickers who had brought her from Delhi on the pretext of finding employment for her, according to an IANS report in The Deccan Herald. A medical examination proved that the girl had been raped, a police officer said.
Goa: More than 30 years after giving up their land for the Selaulim dam project, hundreds of  villagers have yet to be given proper drinking wa ter and other promised facilities, Daily News & Analysis reports. The Selaulim dam supplies 80 percent of Goa with drinking water, according to the report.
Tamil Nadu: A fire at a firecracker factory where safety norms are reported to have been breached killed 38 people on Wednesday. Police arrested seven people on Thursday, The Hindu reported.
