New Delhi: A series of blasts at a prayer meeting in Kerala's Kalamassery on Sunday morning killed at least three people and left several injured, with many remaining in critical condition.
The blasts in Kerala have led to heightened security in crowded places in the national capital.
Breaking news report
The hospitals in Kochi were crowded with distressed and appalled family members as several injured people were undergoing treatment. Laxman Prabhu, a family member of two victims, said, "My mother is admitted to the hospital; she came yesterday (to the convention center) for the prayer. She already has some other issues, and now she has burn injuries on her legs, hands, mouth, and back. My sister has also got burn injuries on both legs."
The girl had suffered over 90 per cent burns in the blasts that took place in a hall where prayers were underway on Sunday.
She breathed her last, past midnight.
Special investigation teams arrive
On Monday morning, teams of the NSG, including forensic experts, and NIA reached the spot.
Now all eyes are on the NIA, if they will take up the probe, as Kerala Police called it a "closed" case after one Dominic Martin from Kochi surrendered before the police claiming responsibility.
Martin told the police that he committed the crime "because Jehovah Witness was on the wrong track". The Kerala Police claimed to have cracked the case after the relatives of the woman who died instantly after the explosion identified the body.
Till her relatives approached, the Police had suspected the deceased woman to be a "suspect". Fifty-three-year-old Kumari from Thodupuzha- Kumari was the second woman to have succumbed.
Notably, Jehovah Witnesses are a group of Christians who do not identify themselves as Protestants. The Jehovah Witness Convention is an annual gathering where large assemblies called Regional Conventions take place for three days.
The event had started last Friday and it was to end on Sunday. Martin's arrest will be recorded later in the day. Now, it remains to be seen whether the NIA will take up the case as according to the rules, the state government has to ask for it, if not, the Centre can take it up directly.
Man surrenders; police yet to verify
Multiple explosions took place at a prayer meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Kalamassery area of Kochi district at around 9 am. A man identified as Dominic Martin, meanwhile, surrendered himself at the Kodakara police station in Thrissur, claiming responsibility for a series of blasts that also left several injured.
The police, however, said that they are yet to verify Martin's claims. "One person has surrendered at Kodakara Police Station, in Thrissur Rural, claiming that he has done it. His name is Dominic Martin, and he claims that he belonged to the same group as the assembly. We are verifying it. We are looking into all aspects of this case... The blast took place in the central part of the hall," Kerala ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar said about the blast at Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery.
Improvised Explosive Devices were used
According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest that IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) were used to trigger the blasts. Following the incidents, Chief Minister Vijayan announced a 20-member probe team to investigate the matter. "What happened in Kalamassery is very unfortunate. Currently, 41 people are hospitalized, 27 people admitted to Ernakulam Medical College... 4 people discharged. 2 people have died, and 5 are in critical condition. A special team led by ADGP Law and Order will be investigating this incident. 20 members will be on the investigating team," he said.
Warning against fake news
The CM has also called an all-party meeting for Monday. Warning against fake news Kerala Police on Sunday issued a warning against propagating fake news through social media platforms regarding the incident. "Action will be taken against those spreading fake news," Kerala Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb said in a statement. He said that the police have intensified round-the-clock surveillance on social media to detect accounts spreading such fake messages.
Following the blasts, state ministers K Rajan, VN Vasavan, Antony Raju, Mayor M Anilkumar, and others visited Medical College in Kalamasery and met the injured in the blast at Zamra Convention Centre on Sunday. Addressing a press conference, Kerala Minister P Rajeev appealed to the people to refrain from fake social media campaigns. "Police are conducting the investigation... we can only reach some conclusions after a thorough investigation. Efforts are underway to save the lives of all the injured. CM Pinarayi Vijayan has called an all-party meeting tomorrow... everyone must refrain from fake social media campaigns... Kerala always faces such situations with unity..." the minister said.
Widespread condemnation
The incident drew condemnation from several political parties across the country. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said that the blasts at a prayer meeting in Kerala's Kalamassery on Sunday morning are condemnable, adding that those who foster violence must be dealt with an iron hand. In a post on X, Kharge said that the party stands together with the victims. "We strongly condemn the bomb blast attack at a Convention Centre in Ernakulam, Kerala. Hate, divisiveness, and terror have zero space in a civilized society. Those who foster violence must be dealt with an iron hand. We stand together with the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured," Kharge said.
Congress leader and MP, representing Wayanad constituency, also said that the incident of blasts is "deeply distressing and condemnable." "The bomb blasts during a prayer meeting in Ernakulam, Kerala, are deeply distressing and condemnable. My condolences to the bereaved family, and I hope for a quick recovery for those injured. There is no place for hatred and violence in a civilized society. The government must conduct a thorough probe and bring the guilty to justice," he said.
Congress National General Secretary KC Venugopal, in a post on X, said that the atmosphere of Kerala will not and cannot be 'poisoned by these forces'. "The Congress Party condemns the blasts that took place earlier in Ernakulam, Kerala today. We demand a fair and prompt investigation to unearth the conspiracy being hatched against Kerala and its tradition of unity in diversity. The atmosphere of Kerala will not and cannot be poisoned by these forces," he said.
Venugopal further called on the people of the state to come together to defeat poisonous elements. "Congress Party appeals to the people of Kerala to come together and defeat these poisonous elements," he added.
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