Week-long cease-fire announced in anti-Naxal operations

September 15, 2012

Bangalore, September 15: Karnataka government today announced a week-long ceasefire from Monday in anti-Naxal operations to facilitate surrender of Maoists, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar announced today.

The ceasefire would take effect at 6 am on September 17 and would be in force till 6 pm on September 23, he told reporters here.

The measure has been taken as some Naxalites have sent a message that they desire to surrender and the government is giving them an opportunity do so, Shettar said.

Naxals are active in Western Ghat forests, particulary in Dakshina Kannada and Chikmagalur districts, officials said.

Shettar did not say how many Naxalites would surrender but added that key operatives had expressed a desire to lay down arms.

Karnataka already has a surrender policy for Naxalites.

The Chief Minister said the government is willing to give protection to surrendered Naxalites, encourage them to return to the mainstream and lead a normal life.

Defending the ceasefire decision, he said "we have not forced them. They have come forward. We have to encourage them (to surrender)".

The government would give them a package within the legal framework and as per the surrender policy.

Asked if criminal cases against them would be withdrawn, Shettar said it depends, noting that in case there are murder charges, the state can't interfere.

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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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