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Kerala Blasts Live Updates: Police arrest man who claimed responsibility

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Oct 30, 2023, 20:22:13 IST

Kerala Blasts Live Updates: Police arrest man who claimed responsibility

Kalamassery Convention Centre Blasts Live Updates: Police on Monday arrested a man who claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts at a Christian religious gathering in Kerala. Earlier, a day after multiple explosions took place at a prayer meeting in Kochi's Kalamassery leaving three dead and several otmhers 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.

20:21 (IST) Oct 30

Police on Monday formally recorded the arrest of the man who claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts at a Christian religious gathering in Kerala on Sunday that killed three persons and injured over 50 people. A senior police officer said the arrest of the man, Dominic Martin, was recorded at 7 pm.

18:32 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala Bomb Blast News: Beyond what Martin Dominick admitted in the investigation into the explosion, the Police are also investigating if there was any other motive. Top police officials including DGP are conducting a probe. The Chief Minister said that the investigation is progressing well: Kerala Chief Minister's Office

17:23 (IST) Oct 30

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday alleged that Kerala under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has shown tolerance towards radical elements and radicalisation. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Chandrasekhar was hitting back at the CM who on Sunday slammed the BJP leader over his social media posts criticising Vijayan over the blasts at a religious gathering in Kalamassery near here.He also accused Vijayan of being a "liar" and using terms like 'communal' and 'communalism' to "hide his ineptness as Home Minister of the state" and "cover up his own and his government's corruption and appeasement politics that he has copied from the Congress."

15:27 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala Bomb Blast News: 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, Kerala health minister Veena George visited the injured at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital and said that 17 people are battling burn injuries in yesterday's explosion with 12 of them in intensive care units. An all-party meeting chaired by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was held in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday in the wake of the blasts. The meeting 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. (ANI)

14:00 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala convention centre blasts: All-party meet in Thiruvananthapuram calls for unity

An all-party meeting was held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in response to the recent multiple blasts at a religious gathering, which resulted in the loss of three lives. The meeting, convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, aimed to address the growing mistrust and intolerance in society. Participants unanimously agreed to discourage baseless accusations, speculative campaigns, and the spread of rumors following the blasts.

13:02 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala convention centre blast news: Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

"To accuse me of being communal, or to accuse our party of doing anything other than looking after the best interest of every Indian, is to be a liar. He (Pinarayi Vijayan) is a liar...If not having links with the SDPI, PFI and Hamas is the qualification for being called communal, I am proud to say that nobody in BJP has any linkages with SDPI, PFI and Hamas," said Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

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12:33 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala Bomb Blast News: Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Kerala blasts

"Under CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala has shown increasing tolerance towards radical elements and radicalization. Whether it is the Kozhikode attempt to burn a train which would have caused, if he had succeeded over 200-300 deaths and the characterization of that person as being mentally ill till it was revealed that he was an ISIS sympathizer, and that was a deliberate attempt at terrorism. There is a history of appeasement of radical elements by both the Congress and the Left in Kerala..."

12:02 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala convention centre blast News: After an all-party meeting convened by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan today, PK Kunhalikutty, of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) says, "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."

11:30 (IST) Oct 30

Kalamassery Bomb Blast NEws: Central minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar arrives at the convention centre

11:28 (IST) Oct 30

The NSG commando team examines the convention center and premises on Monday morning.

10:48 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala Convention Centre Blast News: Jehovah's Witnesses issues statement on Kalamassery convention centre blasts

Jehovah's Witnesses are deeply saddened by a horrific attack on our peaceful community in Kerala, India, the public information department of Jehovah's Witnesses India said in a statement.

Jehovah’s Witnesses of India are very grateful for the authorities who are investigating this crime and providing protection for our places of worship. At this time, it is unwise for us to speculate about the perpetrator(s) or the motive.

Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide grieve for the victims of this traumatic event and are praying for the victims’ families. During this time of tragedy, we are comforted by the Bible’s hope of a future when violence will no longer occur, the statement said.

10:40 (IST) Oct 30

Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast News: 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: Kerala health minister Veena George

10:28 (IST) Oct 30

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.

Kerala health minister Veena George

08:45 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala Bomb Blast News: ‘Had just closed eyes to pray... then there were blasts & fire’

KOCHI: Fourteen-year-old Ashwin was full of joy as he arrived at the Zamra International Convention Centre on Sunday for the Jehova’s Witnesses’ convention event in Kalamassery. Apart from the spiritual experience, the event also provided a chance to meet his close friend Savio and other children who came for the convention.
However, the joy was short lived after the explosion at the convention centre that killed one on the spot and left 52 injured. All those injured who spoke to TOI from Government Medical College Ernakulam and a private hospital in Kakkanad said the explosion took place when the believers had kept their eyes closed for prayer.

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08:43 (IST) Oct 30

Kalamassery Bomb Blast News: 'Investigate if there is connection with Palestine': CPI (M) on Kerala blast

After a series of blasts at a prayer meeting in Kerala's Kalamassery jolted the state, Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary M V Govindan has said that the incident has to be investigated if it has a connection with the Palestine issue.

"Kalamassery incident should be seen as a very serious incident. In today's time when the world is expressing solidarity with Palestine, the people of Kerala are standing for the people of Palestine. Whoever takes a stand, capable of diverting attention from it will be dealt with seriously. The state government and the democratically aware people should stand together and condemn this," M V Govindan said.

07:18 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala bomb blasts: Toll rises to 3

The death toll in blasts that rocked a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Kalamassery has risen to three. A 12-year-old girl, identified as Libina from Malayattoor in Ernakulam district, succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Monday at the Kalamassery Government Medical College Hospital.

07:15 (IST) Oct 30

Kerala Convention Centre Blast News: Additional DGP (law and order) M R Ajith Kumar said Martin who had surrendered to Kodakara police in Thrissur, had provided evidence supporting his claim, which police were examining.

07:14 (IST) Oct 30

Kochi Convention Centre Blast News: “I found a woman in flames lying face down on the floor. I grabbed a hose from the fire-safety system and sprayed water over her to douse the flames, but she was dead seconds later,” said Marcel, a participant from Varapuzha.

07:11 (IST) Oct 30

Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast News: IED blasts at Christian prayer meet in Kerala kill 3, injure 58

KOCHI: Three back-to-back explosions at a 2,000-strong prayer congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a Christian denomination, at Kalamassery in Kerala’s Kochi on Sunday killed two women and wounded 58 other members. The blasts were initially suspected to be a terror attack but were later declared to be the alleged handiwork of a disgruntled former member.

The improvised explosive devices (IEDs) allegedly planted at the Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre by the suspect, identified as Dominic Martin of Thammanam in Kochi, went off in the middle of prayers at 9.35am, police said. The centre was the venue of a three-day Jehovah’s Witnesses event since Friday.

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20:57 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Bomb Blast News: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says, "Those who’re poisonous, will keep spitting poison…one of the Union Minister made a statement that I am doing appeasement politics and protesting against Israel…he is a minister and he should give some minimum respect to the investigating agencies, the probe is underway…in such a serious incident, at such an early stage, they are making such statements targeting a few set of people. This is based on their communal agenda but Kerala doesn’t have such an agenda, Kerala always stood against communalism…on what basis are these people targeting one community and giving a special angle…when the probe is going on, on what basis is he making such a statement by sitting at such a responsible position…”

20:29 (IST) Oct 29

What happened in Kalamassery is very unfortunate. Currently, 41 people are hospitalised, 27 people admitted in Ernakulam Medical College…4 people discharged. 2 people have died, and 5 are critical. A special team led by ADGP Law and Order will be investigating this incident...20 members will be in the investigating team. An all-party-meeting has been called for tomorrow

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

19:52 (IST) Oct 29

Kochi Bomb Blast News: One more dead in Kalamassery blast. Death toll stands at 2: Public Relation Department, Kerala. (ANI)

18:49 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Bomb Blast News: Kerala health minister Veena George says, "We have constituted 14 members medical board that is monitoring the entire situation. We have 18 patients currently in ICU. They are all stable, but two patients including a 12-year-old girl who has got 95% burns and a 53-year-old woman who has got 90% burns. A total of 6 people are critically ill..."

17:20 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Convention Centre Blast News: Man claiming to be from Jehovah's Witnesses surrenders before police in Thrissur, takes responsibility for Kerala blasts

In Thrissur district of Kerala, a man identifying himself as a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses surrendered to the police, claiming responsibility for the multiple explosions that took place during a Christian religious gathering in Kalamassery, on Sunday morning, police said.

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16:51 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast News: On explosion at the Convention Centre in Kalamassery, Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar says: " It is very sad to hear about this blasts targeting Christian community...it is very depressing...I hold the Kerala govt responsible for this because just yesterday they permitted head of terror organisation Hamas to speak...Kerala govt permitted that programme to happen and 24 hours later, we are seeing the consequences...the Kerala CM , who is also the Kerala Home Minister is sitting in Delhi and doing politics..."

16:27 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Convention Centre Blasts: On Kerala blasts, Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "We are always on alert, no separate alert has been given, but we are careful because big cities like Mumbai and Pune are in Maharashtra. We have to constantly take care that no wrong activities take place. Our efforts are going on in that direction..."

16:26 (IST) Oct 29

Kochi Convention Centre Blast News: Kerala ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar, says: "There was an explosion in the function in which around 45 people were injured one person has died. The condition of another 5 persons is serious. The person who died is suspected to be a lady, she died because of burn injuries the other people are also having burn injuries. All the concerned agencies including central agencies are in place and we are looking into it."

16:20 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Bomb Blast News: One man surrendered before police claiming to be responsible for blasts at Christian religious gathering in Kerala: ADGP Law and Order. (PTI)

15:40 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala blasts: "Situation under control," says Congress MLA Uma Thomas

14:58 (IST) Oct 29

Kochi Bomb Blast News: Security beefed up around Delhi churches after blasts in convention centre in Kerala

In response to the recent explosion at a convention center in Kerala, security measures have been significantly enhanced in the national capital Delhi.A high-ranking police official, on condition of anonymity, disclosed that security has been intensified in various key areas, including markets, churches, metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, and other public spaces.

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14:49 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Bomb Blast News: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called an all party meet on Monday in the state capital in the wake of Kalamassery blast.

14:39 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Convention Centre Blast: Kerala Police warn of strict action against those who spread fake news through social media in the wake of Kalamassery blasts

14:37 (IST) Oct 29

Right now, we have, 10 patients in the Burn ICU of which, 2 are on ventilator, and 1 more is critical. Everybody has been given adequate treatment: Ganesh Mohan, RMO, Kalamassery Medical College

14:33 (IST) Oct 29

The NSG's Delhi-based bomb disposal unit has rushed to Kerala. An eight-member National Security Guard team, including an officer is expected to reach at the bomb blast site by Sunday evening.

14:15 (IST) Oct 29

Delhi Police on high alert after blast in Kalamassery Convention Centre

Special vigil is being kept in crowded places. The Special Cell is in constant touch with the intelligence agencies and any input will not be taken lightly. Security arrangements are being made at the crowded place: Delhi Police

14:12 (IST) Oct 29

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.

Kerala governor on blasts

14:11 (IST) Oct 29

Former union minister and BJP leader Alphons KJ on explosions in Kerala

"...There were multiple blasts apparently...The situation is extremely critical...I have been warning for a long time that in Kerala, both left and right, is supporting terrorism...This has been happening in Kerala for a very long time...Today Kerala is in the grip of terrorism. This has to stop..."

14:04 (IST) Oct 29

Kochi Bomb Blast: 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: Former Kerala minister and CPI-M Leader MA Baby

14:04 (IST) Oct 29

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...

Former Kerala minister and CPI-M Leader MA Baby

13:28 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Convention Centre Blast: Tamil Nadu DGP Shankar Jiwal orders to intensify security checks along the bordering districts of Kerala including Theni, Tenkasi, Coimbatore and Kanyakumari in the wake of explosions in Kochi on Sunday morning.

13:22 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Convention Center Blast: We will wait for the details of the investigations to come out and then we will take the next steps. The central agencies are already there. NIA and NSG are already involved: MoS for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan

13:21 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Bomb Blast: MoS for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan on blasts

"The incident of the bomb blast in a prayer meeting of the Christian community in Kochi is a shocking incident. It is disturbing to note that Kerala is becoming a place where such incidents are happening which are considered a terrorist act. The Home Minister has already spoken to the chief minister of Kerala. I also had a telephone call with the CM. The central agencies have already started the inquiry regarding this incident. I am sure that they will go to the details of the incident and find out who and what are the reasons for this and who are behind this incident. "

13:20 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Bomb Blast: Kerala Minister VN Vasavan on blasts

"A woman has died due to fire, not from the blast. Preliminary analysis states that two blasts took place consecutively... One person is in the hospital...36 people are in the casualty, admitted to Aster medicity, Rajagiri and Sunrise. It is an unusual accident. All agencies are here for preliminary examination."

13:11 (IST) Oct 29

Today morning at 9:40am 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.

Kerala DGP Dr Shaik Darvesh Saheb

13:06 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Convention Center Blast: Forensic experts visit blasts site

12:58 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Convention Center Blast: Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb urges to maintain calm and peace, and not to engage in any kind of social media campaign.

12:57 (IST) Oct 29

Kochi Bomb Blast: Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb says IED device might have been placed inside a tiffin box according to the preliminary investigation. "More details will be received after further probe."

12:53 (IST) Oct 29

Photos: Multiple blasts at Kerala convention; 1 killed

Multiple blasts hit Zamra International convention centre when more than 2500 people were present at the centre.

Check Photos Here

12:52 (IST) Oct 29

Kalamassery Convention Center Blast News: Kerala DGP says a special team will be constituted to probe the incident today itself

12:49 (IST) Oct 29

Kerala Convention Center Blast News: Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb confirms an IED device was used for explosion.

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