NCTC should not be given unbridled powers: Siddaramaiah

June 5, 2013
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New Delhi, Jun 5: Voicing reservations over the full-fledged operationalisation of the ambitious NCTC, Congress-ruled Karnataka today said the body should not be given "unbridled powers".
Newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also said that Naxal movement is "definitely trying to disturb" the security situation in his state.

"Some safeguards are necessary before setting up NCTC so that it is not given unbridled powers to encroach upon states' domain," Siddaramaiah said in his speech during the CM's internal security conference convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs here.

"As envisaged by the Union government, the National Counter-Terrorism Centre will have to involve multi-dimensional intelligence gathering and an action planning agency. Earlier efforts of containing terrorist activities by the existing organisation for intelligence networking have proved inadequate and ineffective.

"In principle, the government of Karnataka has recognised the importance of data and intelligence sharing, planning of anti-terrorist activities including activities that are aimed at preventing, disabling or even tackling a terrorist attack in progress and the need for coordination between state and central agencies and sometimes police of other states and even international agencies," he said.

The CM said Naxal activities are "expanding" in the state "albeit slowly" and hence Karnataka should be categorised as a Left Wing Extremism affected state.

"As I have earlier said, the Naxal movement is definitely trying to disturb our state. I, therefore urge the union government to declare this as a Naxal affected state and provide central assistance by funding and imparting special training to our personnel. Alternatively, assistance may be extended for undertaking preventive measures so that the Naxal movement does not make inroads into the state," he said.

The Karnataka Chief Minister also blamed the Union Home Ministry for supplying "unseaworthy" boats for the coastal security scheme being implemented in his state.

"I wish to point out that the boats supplied by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Goa Shipyard Limited are unsuitable, uneconomical and unseaworthy and not able to serve the purpose for which they are meant. This issue has been raised in the earlier meetings also and I request you once again to supply suitable, all-weather, seaworthy boats in the second phase," he said.

He also said that "interceptor boats have yet not been supplied and fuel charges are not being reimbursed regularly by the government of India." Siddaramaiah said that there was a need to strengthen the state intelligence apparatus and steps were being taken in this direction.

He also expressed apprehension on the escalation in cyber crime incidents in the state.

"Another area of concern is the rising trends of cyber crime against the individual, organisation and society at large and its consequences," he said.

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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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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 20,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 20: The Mangaluru City Police have issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of the inaugural ceremony of Karavali Utsava, which will be held at the Karavali Utsava Ground on Saturday.

The festival will be inaugurated at 6:00 pm by Dakshina Kannada District Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. Cultural and public programmes will be held at the venue every evening and will continue until January 2.

According to City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, parking of vehicles is strictly prohibited on both sides of the road from Lalbagh to Karavali Utsava Ground. Visitors are requested to park their vehicles only at designated parking areas.

To help the public, traffic signboards and parking guidance flex boards have been installed along the routes leading to the venue. The police have urged commuters and visitors to follow these instructions to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Designated Parking Locations

•    Urwa Market Ground – Cars
•    Gandhinagar Government School (near Press Club) – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Ladyhill Church parking area – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Canara School Ground, Mannagudda – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Thimmappa Hotel premises – Two-wheelers and cars
•    Scout and Guide Bhavana premises (behind Karavali Utsava Grounds) – Two-wheelers
•    Urwa Market Road – Two-wheelers
•    Hat Hill Road – Two-wheelers

The police have appealed to the public to cooperate by following traffic rules and parking guidelines to avoid inconvenience during the festival.

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