AFSPA revocation
Budgam (J-K), 15 June: The Jammu and Kashmir government’s demand for revocation of the controversial AFSPA is being discussed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said today. Mr Abdullah has been pitching for revoking the controversial law from certain areas of the state where the Army does not operate. However, his efforts have so far met stiff resistance from the Army. pti
Telangana bandh
Hyderabad, 15 June: A day-long bandh began this morning in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh in response to a call given by the TRS, which accused the state government of resorting to repressive measures to put down yesterday&’s statehood rally. pti
Irom Sharmila 
IMPHAL, 15 JUNE: Irom Chanu Sharmila feels that the implementation of an Inner Line Permit System is a must in the state to safeguard the future of the indigenous people of Manipur. Speaking to the media yesterday, Sharmila, who has been on a years-long hunger strike demanding the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, said unrestrained influx of non-locals is a major threat to the identity of indigenous Manipuris. sns
Drifting vessel
MUMBAI, 15 JUNE: The Directorate General of Shipping, today said Pratibha Tapi, one of the two vessels of the financially distressed Pratibha Shipping is drifting towards the coast and an emergency towing vessel has been requisitioned to take care of any situation. pti
Media credibility
LUCKNOW, 15 JUNE: Vice President M Hamid Ansari on Saturday expressed concern over certain media-related developments which were posing a threat to its objectivity and credibility. He said these developments related to cross-media ownership, the phenomenon of paid news, declining role of editors and their editorial freedom, media ethics and the lack of effective self regulatory mechanisms as also the need to bring an improvement in the working conditions of media personnel and their safety. He was speaking at the inaugural function of the biennial session of the National Union of Journalists at Hathras. sns
School destroyed
JAMUI, 15 JUNE: Maoists triggered a blast in a school building in Bihar’s Jamui district, damaging the structure. A group of Maoists stormed the government school last night and detonated explosives in the building damaging it totally, Superintendent of Police, Mr Deepak Barnwal said. They attacked the school building apparently in retaliation to intensified operations by the security forces against them, he said. A case has been registered in this connection and raids were being carried out to nab the ultras, Mr Barnwal said. pti