MLA Parakkal Abdulla stirs up storm wearing mask, gloves in assembly

News Network

June 4, 2018

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 4: Kicking up a row, an Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MLA today attended the Kerala Assembly wearing mask and gloves to highlight the impact of Nipah virus in Kozhikode district, triggering a war of words between the ruling LDF and opposition UDF members.

The Kuttiady MLA, Parakkal Abdulla walked into the assembly wearing mask and gloves and was seen greeting the opposition members. While Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, said the member's behaviour amounted to 'trivialising' a serious issue, Health Minister, K K Shylaja described it as a 'ridiculous act.'

The state was maintaining extreme vigil following the outbreak of the deadly virus. Since the Nipah virus was confirmed, the government has taken all necessary steps to contain it. The health department has intervened efficiently. Even then, the MLA has come to the house wearing a mask which amounted to self-ridicule, Vijayan said attacking the member.

Health minister said there are certain criteria for wearing a mask. If the member was infected by the virus, he should not have come to the house, she said. The leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said he was told by the MLA that in Kozhikode everyone was wearing a mask and walking around and so he had come to the house as a symbolic gesture.

Abdulla said his act was only to bring the government's attention to the situation in Kuttiyadi-Perambra region, the epicentre of the Nipah virus. Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan also enquired from the member why he wore the mask. Sixteen persons have lost their lives so far to Nipah virus (NiV) in two districts, Kozhikode and Malappuram, of the state since the confirmation of the deadly virus on May 17.

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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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