Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan announces 20-member team to probe blast at convention center in Kalamassery

Two women have been killed and over 40 injured in the blast at a convention center in Kerala's Kalamassery.

Updated on: Oct 29, 2023, 21:05:50 IST

By HT News Desk

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Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday announced a special 20-member team to probe the blast that took place at a convention center in Kalamassery, killing two persons and injuring more than 40 people.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (ANI file)

“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", he said at a briefing in Thiruvananthapuram.

Two women lost their lives and over 40 injured in an IED blast at Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Kalamassery around 9:30am during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses, attended by over 2,000 people.

Union home minister Amit Shah had spoken to Vijayan and assured of all help from the Centre in investigating the perpetrators of the blast.

However, a man named Dominic Martin surrendered before the Kokadra police station, claiming responsibility for the bomb attack. Kerala's ADG (law and order) M R Ajith Kumar 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 also put out a video message on a social media platform claiming responsibility for the blasts and stating his reasons.

He released a video stating that the group's preachings were "seditious" and that they did not heed his warnings to change their ways.

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HT News Desk
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