Two women died and 51 others were injured as multiple blasts rocked a convention centre in Kochi on Sunday, sending shock waves across the state.
Hundreds of followers of Jehovah's Witnesses had assembled at the Zamra International Convention Centre in Kalamassery on the concluding day of their three-day-long prayer meeting, when the blasts took place.
In a dramatic turn of events, hours after the explosions, a 48-year-old man surrendered at Kodakara police station in neighbouring Thrissur district, claiming responsibility of the blasts.
Police said they have found incriminating evidence, including the visuals of remote control allegedly used to detonate bomb, from the suspect’s mobile phone. His search history showed he had learned certain techniques of making bomb from YouTube, they said.
The suspect, identified as Dominic Martin, has been booked under Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC as well as provisions of the Explosives Act and the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Martin, who claimed that he belonged to the same group of sabha, had put out a video on Facebook, in which he confessed to the crime, and said he carried out the blasts since the denomination had refused to change its ways despite multiple requests.
"Their ideology is wrong. Jehovah's Witnesses, your ideology is wrong. You do not help anyone or respect anyone. You want everyone to be destroyed, except yourself. That is your ideology," he alleged.
He further claimed that Jehovah's Witnesses and its ideology were dangerous for the country and therefore its presence had to be ended in the state.
The investigators are examining his claims and the evidence collected from his phone. He has been brought to the police camp in Aluva for detailed interrogation.
"One person has surrendered in Kodakra 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 of sabha. 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) M.R. Ajith Kumar said.
Police have conducted searches at Martin’s house in Kochi.
According to the preliminary probe, an improvised explosive device (IED) was used to carry out the blasts, State Police Chief Shaik Darvesh Saheb told reporters.
He also warned that strict action will be taken against those who spread fake news through social media promoting communal hatred.
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.
Meanwhile, the death toll rose to two after one more women succumbed to her burn injuries in the evening. The deceased has been identified as Kumari (53), a native of Thodupuzha in Idukki. She had suffered over 90 per cent burn injuries in the explosion.
The police could not yet ascertain the identity of the first woman who was killed at the spot.
Unfortunate incident: CM
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the incident “unfortunate” and said no culprit involved in it would be spared.
A 20-member police team has been formed to investigate the case, he informed at a press conferece.
Vijayan has called an all-party meeting on Monday morning to review the situation. The will be held at the CM’s conference hall in the state secretariat at 10 am.
The entire state has been put on high alert with police teams and security agencies conducting searches in public places including airports, bus and train stations.
CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan 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.
