Two dead, around 50 injured in blast at convention centre in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: An explosion during a convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian denomination, at Kalamassery in Kochi on Sunday killed two women and caused injuries to around 50.

Even as central agencies rushed to Kochi following strong suspicions of a terror attack, a Kochi resident identified as Dominic Martin, surrendered before the police by afternoon taking responsibility for the blast. Differences with ideologies of Jehovah's Witnesses was said to be the provocation. 

Police were learnt to have recovered evidence like video of triggering the explosion using remote control and improvised explosive devices. Two explosions were suspected to have happened in a gap of 10 seconds while the convention was progressing.

Martin also made a video post on social media ahead of surrendering. He said that though he was part of Jehovah's Witnesses for the last 16 years, over the past few years he had some differences with it and found it to be against the nation's interest. Though he sought "correction", those concerned did not pay attention to it and hence, he decided to carry out the blast, the accused said.

Additional Director General of Police (law and order) M R Ajithkumar told the media that the evidence given by Martin were being verified. 

The police are yet to confirm the identity of the woman who died soon after the incident. Another woman, identified as Kumari, 52, of Thodupuzha in Idukki district succumbed to the burns by evening. Condition of six injured were learnt to be critical. 

The ADGP termed the woman who died initially as a "suspected woman".

Police sources said that Martin, who was an NRI,  was suspected to have learnt about bomb making from YouTube. He is a resident of Kadavanthra. But he surrendered at a Kodakara police station in Thrissur district, which is around 50 kilometers from the explosion spot.

Meanwhile, a representative of Jehovah's Witnesses told a section of the media that Martin is not a member of the faction. But a person by this name had earlier attended Bible classes, he said. 

As per the FIR, it was a terror attack and sections of UAPA were invoked. Police sources, however, said that the FIR was prepared before Martin came up with the confession. 

Earlier during the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The incident triggered much concern as it happened just a few months after a train fire incident, which was also found to have terror links.

Moreover, Kalamassery, where the explosion happened on Sunday, is a major developing region of Kerala which is close to the Kochi international airport and IT park.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned of stringent action against anyone spreading misleading messages over the incident. He will be holding an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss the situation.