Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan addresses during an all party meeting at the State Secretariat, in Thiruvananthapuram, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (PTI Photo)Kerala Convention Centre Blasts Highlights, 30 October: The toll in the convention centre blasts in Kochi’s Kalamassery rose to three after a 12-year-old succumbed to burn wounds on Monday. The explosions, which also left several critically injured, took place where thousands of members of the Christian denomination Jehovah’s Witnesses had gathered for a prayer meeting on Sunday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired an all-party meeting in light of the attack, wherein all members unanimously resolved to resist efforts to create religious intolerance and mistrust, reported PTI.
Who is the accused? A man identified as Dominic Martin, surrendered himself at the Kodakara police station in Thrissur claiming responsibility for a series of blasts. An estranged member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Martin labelled the sect as ‘anti-national’ before carrying out the blasts. The police, however, have said that they are yet to verify Martin’s claims.
What do we know so far? Preliminary investigation has revealed that it was an IED blast. Eyewitnesses told reporters that the blasts happened in the middle of the convention centre. The first blast among the many explosions occurred at around 9.30 am minutes after the prayer session began.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that the probe into the multiple blasts at a religious gathering that claimed three lives, was "progressing efficiently".
The CM, in a post on social media platform X, also urged people to steer clear of controversies in connection with the blasts and to face it with restraint and unity.
He said this after visiting the blast site and meeting with the families of the victims who lost their lives in the tragic incident. "Visited the Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre at Kalamassery today to assess the situation after Sunday's blast. Met with the grieving relatives of Kumari and Leona Paulus.
A day after multiple explosions took place at a prayer meeting in Kochi's Kalamassery leaving three dead and several others injured, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan visited the blast site to take stock of the situation on Monday.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Congress MP Hibi Eden, Ministers P Rajeev, Veena George and Collector N S K Umesh.
Earlier in the day he also visited the injured at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital. Health Minister Veena George said that 17 people are battling burn injuries in yesterday's explosion with 12 of them in intensive care units.
Launching a scathing attack on the left government in Kerala, BJP PResident J P Nadda today accused it of "soft pedalling" the "radicalisation" in the state.
He also accused the Left government of remaining a "silent spectator" when a leader of the Islamist militant group Hamas addressed a virtual meeting organised in Kerala a few days ago.
"What does it mean? You are bringing a bad name to the land of 'God's Own Country' Kerala", Nadda said, while addressing workers of the BJP-led NDA.
He also referred to the bomb blasts that had taken place in Kalamassery near Kochi a day ago, in which three people were killed, and alleged that while "going to the depths of it," it could be found that the Pinarayi Vijayan government's "soft pedalling" of radicalisation in the state has led to such a situation in a peaceful state.
Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy on Monday condemned the blasts at a Christian religious gathering in Kerala, saying he was shocked to hear about the incident.
Three persons died and several were injured, some seriously, in the multiple blasts at a convention centre near Kochi on Sunday. In a statement, Rangasamy said, "I convey my condolences to the bereaved families and pray to the Almighty for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident." The Chief Minister said, "such violent incidents would not be tolerated by anyone. I express my strong condemnation of the blasts." (PTI)
An all-party meet, called by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the wake of the multiple blasts at a religious gathering in the state that claimed three lives, on Monday resolved to resist attempts to create mistrust and intolerance in society.
The meet, held at the conference hall in the Secretariat complex, also unanimously resolved to urge people not to indulge in baseless accusations, speculative campaigns and rumour-mongering in the wake of the blasts, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said.
The blasts occurred at a convention centre in Kalamassery near Kochi that was hosting a prayer meeting of the Jehovah's Witnesses -- a Christian religious group that originated in the US in the 19th century -- on Sunday.
The all-party meet was attended by all major political parties in the state and they also resolved that Kerala will, at any cost, overcome the isolated attempts to fragment it by those who cannot tolerate the special social situation of peace, brotherhood and equality in the southern state, the statement said.
They urged every person in the society to nip in the bud any attempts to spread speculations, myths and rumors to create divisions in the society and thereby alienate the people from each other. (PTI)
All-party meeting called by Kerala CM in wake of blasts unanimously resolves to resist efforts to create mistrust and intolerance, says the CMO, reported PTI.
After an all-party meeting convened by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan today, PK Kunhalikutty, of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) spoke to ANI and said, "The major concern of all the parties is that Kerala should not be communally divided...Such an incident is unusual in Kerala, and the state government has agreed to strengthen vigilance."
Ahead of the festival season and in the backdrop of the blasts in Kerala, the Delhi Police have stepped up security around the city and its borders with specialised teams keeping a check on “anti-social” elements and unusual activities. The police said security has been increased outside important government offices and venues, markets, malls, places of worship, Metro stations, bus stands, etc.
Meanwhile, the police in Delhi said security around churches, temples and other worship places has been increased. This is also to prevent any untoward incident at the high footfall areas. Local staffers, along with personnel from specialised units such as security, crime branch, and special cells, have been asked to ensure maximum security around public areas
An officer said, “The teams have put barricades to cover borders from Noida, Gurgaon, Faridabad and other sides. Our pickets are active, and police are patrolling in vans and bikes to ensure no illegal or suspicious entry.”
On the Kalamassery blast, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, "We have 17 persons in different hospitals, 12 of them are in ICU, 4 are critically ill, 3 of them are on ventilator. We are giving every possible support... Those who are critically ill have burns above 50-60%... Four are critically ill, rest are almost stable... All of them have burns, but no other injuries are found. They have burns. Let the police conduct the inquiry, they will answer all the questions," reported ANI.
She added, "We have started a helpline and we have received 143 calls... The priority at present is to save lives and we are giving maximum support... The CM is holding an all-party meeting right now, he will brief after the meeting."
The all party meet chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is underway at the CM's Conference Hall in Secretariat.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for an all-party meeting in light of the attack.
Dominic Martin, who has claimed to be behind the Kalamassery blasts, apparently told his wife Saturday night that he was going to meet a friend Sunday morning and left their rented house at Thammanam in Kochi around 5 am.
Martin and his family – wife, son and daughter – have been staying at a 2-bedroom house at Khader Lane for rent for the last five years. Their landlord, Jaleel, was shell-shocked.
“He was not a troublemaker. He did not have many friends but no enemies either. He might have started drinking of late as per our our conversations with his wife. Also, he never defaulted on rent payment. There was nothing suspicious about his activities,” said Jaleel.
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday directed the National Investigation Agency and National Security Guard to commence a probe into a blast at a Kochi convention centre that killed one and left 36 injured.
The incident took place during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at the centre in Kalamassery, about 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) northeast of Kochi. The group was holding a three-day zonal convention that had seen more than 2,000 registrations, according to local media.
The toll in the convention centre blasts in Kochi’s Kalamassery rose to three after a 12-year-old succumbed to burn wounds in the aftermath of the blast. Earlier, a woman undergoing treatment for burns also succumbed to her injuries.
A team of National Security Guard members arrived at the convention centre where the twin explosions took place in Kochi's Kalamassery in Kerala.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday slammed senior BJP leader and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar for his social media posts criticising him over a blast at a convention centre in Kalamassery, saying it was part of his communal stand.Without naming Chandrasekhar, Vijayan during a brief press meet, read out the English and Malayalam statements by Chandrasekhar posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
"Dirty shameless appeasement politics by a discredited CM (and HM) @pinarayivijayan besieged by corruption charges. Sitting in Delhi and protesting against Israel, when in Kerala open calls by Terrorist Hamas for Jihad is causing attacks and bomb blasts on innocent Christians," the minister posted on social media earlier in the day after the reports about the multiple blasts came out. (PTI)
Kerala Health Minister Veena George visited the hospital where victims of the series of blasts that took place at a prayer gathering of Christian group Jehovah's Witnesses have been admitted.
A series of blasts at a Christian group’s convention centre in Kalamassery, Kerala, on Sunday morning — in which one person was killed and at least 36 people were injured — has turned into a political flashpoint, with the BJP linking the incident to “extremism in the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine crisis”.
While Union Minister and senior BJP leader V Muraleedharan called for a probe into “terror activities against Christian gatherings”, Kerala BJP president K Surendran said the incident should be seen in the backdrop of the “pro-Palestine and pro-Hamas stance taken by the mainstream parties in the state”. Read more
Among the two casualties, one has been identified as 53-year-old woman Kumari, while one remains unidentified. Two of the injured are critical, while 17 are in the ICU.
The toll in the convention centre blasts in Kochi’s Kalamassery rose to two as a woman undergoing treatment for burns succumbed to her injuries.
One person was killed and scores injured after a series of blasts at a Sunday prayer convention of the Jehovah’s Witnesses sect near Kochi.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian sect, but do not believe in the Holy Trinity (the doctrine that God exists in three equal persons of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit). They worship Jehovah as “the one true and Almighty God, the Creator”, who is “the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus”.
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Hours before the blast, Dominic Martin, an estranged member of Jehovah's Witnesses, who is in police custody, had posted a video on social media, on why resorted to the act.
In the video, Dominic is heard saying, "I take the responsibility for the blast. I am posting this video to convince you why I have done it. I had been a member of Jehovah's Witnesses for the last 16 years. I was not very serious about my faith. I realized that their stand is anti-national and wanted them to rectify it. But they were not ready for it. I could understand this is a wrong ideology. They inject poison into the brains of children that they should not take even a sweet from others. They are asked not to sing the national anthem and join the defence service. They teach that all people of the world would perish and only they will live. What should we do with people who long for the ruin of the entire people in the world. I could not find a solution. I took the decision realizing that this idea is dangerous to the country. Jehovah’s Witnesses, your ideology is wrong. You should help others and respect others. During the floods, you cleaned only the houses of your members. This wrong ideology should be put to an end. The formula of the blast should not be revealed, it is dangerous."
Kuriachan, a man who came to attend the event along with his wife, said, "It was an intense blast. As soon as we heard the loud sound, we scampered outside, leaving our bags and mobile phones inside. For some time, we could not see anything because a thick smoke engulfed the area. Thankfully, we escaped without any injuries because we were a few rows ahead of where the blast happened. It took us some time to realise what exactly happened. We are yet to get back our belongings, bags, tiffin boxes and mobile phones. Even our car is inside. We are thankful that we got at least our life."
Express shock and dismay over the blasts in Kalamassery, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor demanded swift police action into the incident.
"To see my state falling prey to the mentality of killing and destruction is tragic. I urge all religious leaders to unite in condemning such barbarism and teaching their followers that violence achieves nothing but more violence," he said in a post on X.
Security was beefed-up around churches and at metro stations in the national capital in the wake of the Kerala convention centre blast.
A senior police officer, who requested anonymity, said security has been tightened across the city's main markets, churches, metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, and other public places. "Teams have been informed to put barricades across the border area from Uttar Pradesh Side and Haryana side. Police in civil dress, riders and PCRs have been asked to stay on alert and not to ignore any information they receive," the officer said.
"We are already keeping strict vigil in overcrowded markets. Extra platoon deployment has already been done considering the festival season," the person said.
According to sources, the Special Cell of Delhi Police is in continuous touch with central agencies. (PTI)
A person named Dominic Martin turned up at Kodakara police station in Thrissur and claimed responsibility for the Kalamassery blasts, according to ADGP Ajith Kumar. The man, a member of Jehovah's Witness, is being questioned to establish the veracity of his claims.
Cooperation Minister VN Vasavan said most of the injured are from Ernakulam and neighbouring districts of Kottayam and Thrissur.
The number of injuries reported after the Kerala convention centre blasts rose to 52, with Kerala health minister Veena George adding that 18 of them are in ICU. Of them six, including a 12-year-old, are critical.
Amidst the chaos that followed the explosion at their prayer convention in Kalamassery, eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moments that left the venue in a state of shock and grief in this Kerala town. Outside the convention centre where hundreds had gathered, faces were etched with anxiety and tears. Inside, amidst the gloom and mystery that enveloped the site, police officers and firefighters searched for injured attendees.
Recounting her shocking experience, a senior woman said, "when I opened my eyes after hearing the first blast, all I saw was a fireball in front of me. Nothing...nothing more...just a fireball. Everybody ran scattered here and there. It was a sprawling hall, and a large number of people were inside."
A man in his 70s, his voice trembling, described the shock of witnessing a blast amidst the densely populated prayer convention. "I was standing at the side of the hall, praying with my eyes closed. Suddenly, a shocking blast was heard from nearby. I saw only fire around and ran to the door along with others," he said, wiping away tears. In all his years of attending the convention the attendee had never witnessed anything like this before, he said.
Another woman, her hands placed on her forehead, struggled to find the strength to recall the events during the prayers. "There were several elderly people and children among the participants," she said, her voice quivering with emotion. (PTI)
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to hold all party meeting tomorrow. He had earlier said that the blasts are very unfortunate.
After a series of blast killed one, injured several people at a convention centre in Kerala's Kalamassery, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called for an all-party meeting tomorrow
"Shocked to hear about the blast at a religious gathering at Kalamassery, killing one person and injuring over 20. Heartfelt condolences to the kin of the deceased and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said.
Local media reports say the investigators suspect a car that went out of the premises of the convention hall was related to the IED blast.
The convention centre has been cordoned off with no one, except the police and the investigating agencies, allowed to enter. This has been done to collect all possible evidence without fail.
Health department sets up control room in Ernakulam district medical office, says Minister for Industries and Kalamassery MLA P Rajeev on Facebook. Helpline number: 04842360802, 07907642736
Former Kerala Minister and CPI-M Leader MA Baby told ANI, "It is very unfortunate that life is lost. Some people are critically injured. The MLA from Kalamassery, where this has happened is from CPI-M and he is a state minister, P Rajeev. He is a central committee member, he was here.
The CM has directed him to go to Kerala immediately. He has already left... Ministers who are available in Trivandrum are also moving to Ernakulam. The police have been directed by the CM that it should be a foolproof query, to be carried out without losing any time... What has to be done, only Kerala CM can say... Kerala Police is very efficient in inquiring about such a matter. If the central government, NIA would like to help Kerala police, it is always welcome..."
Kerala Police have been directed to intensify security for upcoming event in Thiruvananthapuram in which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to participate. Bomb squad and dog squad are conducting searches in different places in the state. Security forces have reached Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, where Keraleeyam, a large scale event celebrating the state's tradition is set to take place in a few days. Searches are underway at the spot, Manorama reported.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian sect, but do not believe in the Holy Trinity. They worship Jehovah as “the one true and Almighty God, the Creator”, who is “the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus”. They believe Jesus Christ to be the “King of God’s Kingdom in heaven”, but not as the Almighty God. They base their beliefs only on the text of the Bible, which they see as the word of God. They don’t celebrate Christmas or Easter, because they believe such festivals to be inspired by Pagan traditions.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for their evangelical work, for which they go door to door, to spread “The Truth”. They believe the end of the world is near, and the “Kingdom of God” will “replace human governments and accomplish God’s purpose for the earth.” The denomination has millions of followers worldwide.
The origins of the sect lie in a Bible Student movement started in the 1870s by American pastor Charles Taze Russell. Today, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is located in Warwick, New York. The main body to disseminate the doctrines of the sect is called the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, also headquartered in Warwick. Read more
Congress MP Hibi Eden visits Kalamassery blast spot
Kerala Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan told media that the Kalamassery blast incident is mysterious. "Let there be a proper police investigation. Everyone should be careful not to spread speculations and cause other problems. Those hospitalised after receiving injuries should be provided the best medical treatment," he said in Malayalam.
Security has been beefed up in railway stations and bus stands across the state. Kerala Police have initiated searches in public places and they have launched search in Kunukuzhy in Thiruvananthapuram, where a similar gathering was going on, Manorama reported.
“At the same time, I would request everyone to maintain peace, and remain calm. I also request that no provocative posts or hate posts should be posted on social media. If anyone posts such things, we will take stringent against them also,” Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb said.
Kerala DGP Dr Shaik Darvesh Saheb says "Today morning at 9:40 am approximately there was an explosion at Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre in which one person died and 36 persons are undergoing treatment. In the convention centre, Jehovah’s Witnesses regional convention was happening.
All our senior officers are at the spot. Our additional DGP is also in the way. I will also reach the spot shortly. We are conducting a thorough investigation, we will find out who is behind this and take strict action..." Saheb also urged people not to spread hate on social media, maintain peace.
Preliminary investigation shows it's an IED blast, Kerala DGP said
'We were standing there with our eyes closed. We did not know what was happening,' a person who took part in the prayer at the hall in Kalamaserry told Asianet News. Another person said, 'The hall was competely lit and there were people on stage. The blasts erupted from among the crowd.'
(Warning: Disturbing visuals, viewers' discretion is advised)
"The incident in Kalamserry is quite unfortunate. Reached the spot immediately. Ensured that there is requisite material in medical college. The entire team of Indian Medical Association has been directed to arrive. Police probe is ongoing to find the reason behind the blast," Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden wrote on Facebook in Malayalam.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and took stock of the situation in the state. He also directed the National Investigation Agency and the National Security Guard to reach on the spot and start probing into the matter.
Health Minister Veena George added about directions given to other hospitals in the state on Facebook, "Directions have been given to summon doctors who are on leave for duty. Kalamassery Medical College, Ernakulam General Hospital, Kottayam Medical College have been directed to be prepared with more facilities. Directions are also given to provide treatment facilities in other hospitals within the district."
Kerala Health Minister Veena George wrote on Facebook, "Health department director and medical education department director have been directed to provide best medical treatment in the wake of Kalamassery blast incident. Hospitals have been cautioned. 35 people have so far sought treatment and seven are in ICU."
Around 24 people, who have been injured in the blast, and body of the deceased, have been moved to Government Medical College Hospital, Kalamassery, as per Manorama report
A person who was at the hall during the blast told Manorama, 'The blast took place within five minutes after prayer started. There were more than 2,000 people in the hall.' The devotees who gathered for prayers remained with their eyes closed during the blast and many could not comprehend what was happening, Manorama report said.
Video posted by ANI on X shows ambulance arriving at the spot for rescue operation. #WATCH | Visuals from Ernakulam, Kerala where one person died, and several injured in an explosion at a Convention Centre in Kalamassery https://t.co/hir8k808v2 pic.twitter.com/305HuzA4gg— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2023
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor urged all religious leaders to "unite in condemning such barbarism" after a series of blasts killed one, injured many in Kalamassery. "Shocked and dismayed by the news of a bomb attack on a religious gathering in Kerala. I condemn it unreservedly & demand swift police action. But that’s not enough. To see my state falling prey to the mentality of killing and destruction is tragic. I urge all religious leaders to unite in condemning such barbarism & teaching their followers that violence achieves nothing but more violence," Thiruvananthapuram MP tweeted.
Police in Kerala were put on high alert after the series of blasts killed one person and injured two dozen, a few of them critically, near Kochi.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the media the incident was unfortunate and the police have taken it very seriously. “Senior officials, including the state DGP, have moved to Kochi. Among the injured, the condition of two is serious,” he said.
Follow this space as we bring you latest updates from the blast that killed one and injured many in Ernakulam's Kalamassery.