The death toll in the Kalamassery blast has gone up to three. The victims include two women and a 12-year-old girl who succumbed to blast injuries early this morning. The girl suffered 95% burn injuries.
A man by name Dominic Martin surrendered to the Kodakara Police claiming responsibility for the blasts. The man has produced some evidence to back his claims. However, ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar said Police is examining his claims. Dominic has told Police that he is a member of Jehovah’s Witness but was upset about some of its teachings. In a recorded video the man has claimed, “The organization is wrong and it engages in anti-national activities.”
On Sunday, a series of bomb blasts rocked Zamra International Convention Center in Kochi’s Kalamassery. The explosions occurred when a Jehovah’s Witness morning prayer meeting began at 9.40 a.m.
The first explosion happened near the stage, which according to the Police was the major one. It was followed by minor ones near the doorways. At least 2300 people were present for the Sunday morning prayer meet. Reports that came soon after the blast said, one woman was killed and 36 others were injured when the multiple blasts ripped through the convention hall.
The initial investigation by the Kerala Police found that Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were used in the bombs. Kerala State Police chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb said the bombs appeared planted inside tiffin boxes.
The National Security Guard (NSG) sent its bomb disposal units from Delhi to study the nature of the explosion and the substances used in the bombs. Currently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is conducting its probe.
Calling the incident “Very unfortunate,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said top officials were at Ernakulam, and the state DGP is heading to the blast spot. Kerala Health Minister Veena George told reporters that the injured are being treated at the Kalamassery Medical College. The minister added that the ‘sunburns’ team from Kottayam Medical College has been asked to help treat the burn victims at Kalamassery Medical College.
Jehovah’s Witnesses is a Christian religious sect that rose to prominence in the 19th Century in the US. The sect was then spread to other parts of the world. Followers of the faith present in the convention center on Sunday had gathered for a three-day regional meeting.