Farmers, activists protest police action, block highway for 7 hours

Kolar/Chikkaballapur/Bengaluru, Mar 5: The Kolar-Chikkaballapur bandh called by various organisations against Thursday's police action on farmers in Bengaluru, was total and peaceful on Friday, barring stray incidents of stone- throwing.

Normal life was disrupted as shops and commercial establishments had downed their shutters. Movie halls had suspended shows and there was sparse traffic on roads as the KSRTC?and private buses did not operate.

Banks remained closed and protesters were seen forcing closure of government and private offices. Holiday had been declared for educational institutions and the first PU examination scheduled for Friday were postponed.

Traffic went haywire on National Highway-75 as the farmers blocked the busy road for more than seven hours. The commuters stuck in the traffic jam and had to go without food and water.

Two KSRTC?buses and three private vehicles were damaged as some miscreants threw stones on them. The protesters burnt an effigy of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and raised slogans against the police.

The scene in Chikkaballapur was no different. Members of various organisations took out a bike rally and staged a dharna at Ambedkar Circle. However, there were no reports of any violence.

Silent march in B'luru

Condemning the State government for using police force to “crush the voice of protesting farmers” seeking a permanent irrigation project in Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts on Thursday, several members of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Hasiru Brigade staged a silent march in Bengaluru on Friday.

State secretary of the Sangha, Abbni Shivappa, sought the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, over the government's failure to protect the farmers.

“We were beaten up for asking the government our basic rights. About 10 farmers were hospitalised and hundreds of them were caned to silence our voice. The police took 190 farmers into custody. It's a shame on the Congress-ruled government, which came to power promising a permanent irrigation project for the parched districts,” he 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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