Ernakulam (Kerala): Two persons were killed and at least 52 others were injured in an explosion triggered by an IED at a convention centre in Kalamassery here on Sunday morning, according to police. The explosion occurred at 9.40 am at the Zamrah International Convention Centre, which was hosting a regional convention of Jehovah's Witnesses.
A few hours after the incident, a man claiming to be a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, surrendered before police in Thrissur district of the state, saying that he carried out the multiple blasts. Later in the day, state Health Minister Veena George said that of the 52 injured, 30 were admitted in various hospitals in the state and of them 18 were in ICUs.
Of the 18, six -- including a 12-year-old child -- were in critical condition with three of them having suffered over 90 per cent burns, the minister said. Shortly afterwards, one of the victims with 90 per cent burns succumbed taking the death toll to two. The minister said teams of plastic and general surgeons arrived at the Kalamassery Medical College from the Thrissur and Kottayam medical colleges.
Besides that, a 14-member medical board was also constituted to supervise the treatment being provided to the injured. ADGP Law and Order M R Ajith Kumar told reporters here that Dominic Martin surrendered at Kodakara police station in the morning, claiming he was the one who set off the blasts. The officer said the man gave evidence supporting his claim and the police were examining that as well as his claims and the reasons he gave for carrying out the act.
Prior to surrendering before the police, the man -- who identified himself as Martin -- also put out a video message on a social media platform claiming responsibility for the blasts and giving reasons for the same. In the video, which was aired on various TV channels, the man alleged that he took the decision as the teachings of the organisation were "seditious."
No one from the organisation has reacted to his allegations. Meanwhile, a person claiming to be a member of the religious group told a TV channel that no such person was part of their organisation presently. Martin further alleged that the organisation and its ideology were dangerous for the country and therefore, it had to be put to an end in the state.
He claimed that he had told the organisation several times to correct its teachings, but it was not ready to do so. "As I had no other option, I took this decision," the man contended. Earlier, State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that according to the preliminary probe, an improvised explosive device (IED) was used to carry out the blasts.
The blasts occurred at an international convention centre in Kalamassery where hundreds of followers of Jehovah's Witnesses had assembled on the concluding day of their three-day-long prayer meeting. Jehovah's Witnesses is a Christian religious group that originated in the United States of America in the 19th century.
"This morning at 9.40 am approximately, there was an explosion in Zamrah International Convention Centre in Kalamassery in which one person died and 36 people are undergoing treatment as per our information," the DGP said. "We are examining it," he said, adding that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted once he reaches the site.
A police source said there were three blasts, of which two were strong and the third was of low intensity. Asked whether tiffin boxes were used for packing the explosives as claimed in some news reports, the source said that it cannot be confirmed at this stage as the blast site was being examined by multiple agencies, including the state anti-terrorism squad and the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The DGP, meanwhile, said he cannot say anything at this stage, and only after further investigation can he confirm whether it was a terror act. "Only after the investigation can I confirm the details. We are examining all the angles. We will find out who is behind this and take stringent action against them," the top police official said.
He also urged people to maintain peace and remain calm and asked them not to spread provocative or hateful messages on social media. The spreading of provocative or hateful messages on social media would invite strict action, he warned. The incident was termed as "shocking" by Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and "extremely unfortunate" by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
"Shocked to hear about the blast at a religious gathering at #Kalamassery, Ernakulam district, Kerala, killing one person and injuring over 20. "Heartfelt condolences to the kin of the deceased and prayers for speedy recovery of the injured," the Governor said in a post on social media platform X. Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Vijayan said, "It is an unfortunate incident. One person died, and two others are in serious condition. An investigation has been launched, and further details will be available later. The incident is being viewed very seriously."
The CM also convened an all-party meeting on Monday in the wake of the blasts at the convention centre. CPI(M) State Secretary M V Govindan, who is in Delhi along with Vijayan for some party programmes, said any terrible actions aimed at diverting attention from the Palestine issue would entail strict action.
"When Kerala stands united with the people of Palestine, any terrible action to divert attention from it will entail strict action. The government and all democratic persons will together condemn it," he said. Govindan also said that on viewing the incident politically in the prevailing situation, it appears to be part of a terror act. "That needs to be examined seriously," he said. (With agency inputs)
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