Communal violence erupts in Muzaffarpur: security tightened, 14 held

Muzaffarpur/Patna, Jan 19: At least 14 persons have been arrested in connection with yesterday's violence in a village here in which three persons were charred to death when a mob torched nine houses following recovery of body of an abducted youth.

Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who was in Mumbai, has cut short his visit, in view of the Muzaffarpur incident, and security has been tightened at Ajitpur village.

The Chief Minister has ordered a probe by Principal Secretary Home Sudhir Kumar and ADG (Headquarters) Gupteshwar Pandey in the incident. He has announced Rs five lakh compensation for the kin of dead and Rs 50,000 to the injured and their treatment at government expense.

Senior Superintendent of Police Muzaffarpur R K Mishra said that at least 14 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Security has been tightened in the area with additional deployment of five companies (500 personnel) of Bihar Military Police (BMP), Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Gupteshwar Pandey, who is camping at Muzaffarpur since last night said. The ADG and SSP described the situation at present as peaceful.

Manjhi, who had gone to Mumbai and was scheduled to go to New Delhi from there, has curtailed his programme and is reaching Patna from Mumbai in the afternoon, sources in Chief Minister's Office said in the state capital.

The SSP said three-tier security arrangenments have been made at the village, on its periphery and in the district headquarters to quell any violence.

The chief minister has also announced rebuilding of houses torched in the arson and compensation for the damage to properties, an official release said.

A large mob had gathered at Ajitpur village near one Wasi Ahmed's house yesterday where the body of 19 year-old Bhartendu Kumar, son of Kamal Sahni, was recovered and torched nine houses in retaliation including that of Ahmed whose son Vikki was said to be an accused in the abduction and murder of Kumar.

The charred bodies were yet to be identified as all three were mutilated beyond recognition, he said.

Ahmed has been arrested on charge of kidnapping and murder of the 19 year-old youth, the SSP said.

Kumar had gone missing from the village on January nine last in which Vikki, son of Washi Ahmed, was named an accused by the abducted youth's father, the SSP said.

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Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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