Kerala Blast Highlights — Police Arrest Accused Dominic Martin, Invoke UAPA
Kerala Blast Highlights: Follow this space for all the live and latest updates related to a blast at a convention centre in Kerala.
Police Commissioner A Akbar says, "Dominic Martin's arrest was recorded at 7 pm. He will be produced in court within the stipulated time. He has been charged under sections of Explosive Substances Act and UAPA. As of now, we are convinced that this is a single man's act. But we are looking into more details."
Police arrests man who claimed responsibility for the bomb blasts at a Christian religious gathering in Kerala, PTI reported.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the burn victims of the Kalamasery blast will be given the best treatment and the government will bear the medical expenses: CMO
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 (ANI)
"This is not the right time to ask this question. Maybe after a few days, if there is any lapse then you can raise this question...There are two things - first, expression of sympathy and second, we should not tolerate a culture of violence. This is repugnant to democracy, repugnant to rule of law and repugnant to civilised existence. Nobody can be allowed to take law in their own hands and play games with the lives of people. For that, you can't blame anybody, we can together try to create an awareness where we have respect for each other and nothing like this ugly thing ever happens again," Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan when asked if the State Government is properly handling the issue, as quoted by ANI.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Goa Governor P. S. Sreedharan Pillai met the victims of Kochi's Kalamassery blast, at Government Medical College this evening. (ANI)
CM Pinarayi Vijayan says he will examine the matter, referring to Hamas leader's virtual address at an event in Kerala by an Islamist group (PTI)
"I strongly condemn the incident that occurred in Kerala yesterday. It appears to be a terrorist attack, and an investigation is underway. The ongoing radicalisation is a matter of concern for Kerala and the entire country," says Union Minister Prahlad Joshi on Kochi blasts. (PTI)
"One person has been arrested who is being rounded up as the main suspect... Three people have died till now, while some are in critical situation. (We offer our) deepest condolence to them," says CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, PTI reported.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says probe into blasts at religious gathering is progressing efficiently, PTI reported.
Addressing a rally, BJP Chief JP Nadda alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan government's soft pedalling with radicals has led to a situation where bomb blasts are occurring in Kerala.
Addressing a rally, BJP Chief JP Nadda alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan government's soft pedalling with radicals has led to a situation where bomb blasts are occurring in Kerala.
Speaking on the Kalamassery blast after the all-party meeting chaired by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala LoP and Congress leader VD Satheesan said, "There was some hate campaign through social media after the incident. Irresponsible statements were made by some leaders, including a central minister. Kerala will be united to address the situation. We support the government in taking action against the culprits. We demanded to strengthen the intelligence machinery in Kerala...We want the government to address the hate campaign happening on social media."
Security heightened at Kerala-Tamil Nadu border after Kochi blasts.
State Health Minister said that one more woman who suffered 90 percent burns in blasts at a Christian prayer meeting in Kochi died. Toll now 2.
In an X post, Rahul Gandhi said: "The bomb blasts during a prayer meeting in Ernakulam, Kerala, are deeply distressing and condemnable. My condolences to the bereaved family, and I hope for a quick recovery for those injured. There is no place for hatred and violence in a civilised society. The govt must conduct a thorough probe and bring the guilty to justice."
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan emphasised the complete unacceptability of such incidents in a rule-of-law society and a democracy.
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has affirmed the state's vigilance in response to the recent blasts in Kerala.
Assistant Director General of Police (ADGP) for Law and Order, MR Ajith Kumar said a suspect named Dominic Martin has voluntarily surrendered himself at the Kodakra Police Station in Thrissur Rural, claiming responsibility for the blast.
Minister George reported that a total of 52 individuals have been admitted to various hospitals as a consequence of the incident. Among them, 30 are receiving treatment at the facility itself, with 18 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and six classified as critically injured.
In the wake of recent explosions in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh's Special Director General (SDG) for Law and Order, Prashant Kumar, has issued a directive for all districts to maintain a heightened state of alertness.
Ganesh Mohan, RMO, Kalamassery Medical College in Kerala says, "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..."
On blasts in Kerala, Former Union Minister and BJP leader Alphons KJ says, "...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..."
Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb says initial probe suggests the use of IED device in the blast.
"One person died while 36 people were injured after an explosion took place at Zamra convention center in Kalamassery at around 9.40 am today morning. A preliminary probe shows that it was an IED device. We are examining all the angles and will take stringent action," he said.
An eight-member National Security Guard (NSG) team, including an officer, is on its way to Kerala to probe the bomb explosion that took place at a convention centre in Ernakulam. The team is expected to reach the bomb blast site by this evening.
On the blast at the International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery, Kerala DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb said that a special team will be constituted to probe the incident after he reaches the spot.
"We will be constituting a special team for this today itself after I reach the spot," he said. On being asked if there was any information regarding the blast, he says "There was no specific information"
According to ANI, the National Security Guard (NSG) has rushed one of its bomb disposal units from Delhi to Kerala to collect and inquire about the materials used in the explosion that took place at Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre in the Kalamassery area in Ernakulam.
Kerala BJP Chief K Surendran called the blast in state a "failure" of CM Pinarayi Vijayan's government.
"Heartbreaking news from Kalamassery, Kochi: A fatal blast at a Jehovah's Witnesses gathering has left one person dead and many critically injured during a prayer session. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. Nowadays, Kerala has become a state where attacks and explosions continuously occur in crowds. This is a failure of the state home department under the @pinarayivijayan Government," he said on X.
Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said, "I went to Kalamassery Medical College Hospital. Only one serious case is there. They are shifting that patient to another private hospital..."
Saju, a committee member says, "It was an accident. We all rushed out. That's all what we know. And we all rushed out. Got everybody to safety. That's all we can say is this now. We're going to meet the officers so we'll know what the situation is..."
Kerala LoP and state Congress President VD Satheesan said, "I was told that there were two blasts and there was a fire. First, there was a major blast. The second one was minor. One lady died and 25 persons are in the hospital. Out of 25, 6 persons are in the ICU unit. Around 2,000 people (were present)..."
Ernakulam District Collector said that 36 people have been injured in the blast at a convention centre blast here with 10 of them in the burns unit of Kalamassery Medical College in Kerala.
According to PTI, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the anti-terror agencies NSG, NIA to send teams to Kerala to assist the state government after a blast at a convention centre.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah speaks to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and takes stock of the situation after a blast took place at a convention centre, reports PTI citing sources.
Background
Kerala Blast Highlights: Hello and welcome to the live blog on the updates on a blast at a convention centre in Kerala. Follow this space for all the live and latest updates.
Three people died and over 50 were injured in a blast at a convention centre of a Christian religious group in Kalamassery in Kerala's Kochi. A top-level investigation has been launched into the matter and counter-terror agencies have been roped in on the directions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. On Sunday after the blast took place, state Health Minister Veena George urged government healthcare professionals to report for duty while medical facilities were set up around the site of the blast. The blast site was cordoned off and police and fire rescue were pressed into service, Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had called the blast at a convention centre an "unfortunate" incident, adding that the government is collecting details of the incident. He said the DGP is moving to the spot and the issue is being taken "very seriously". One person has died and over 20 were injured in the explosion on Sunday.
"It's a very unfortunate incident. We are collecting details regarding the incident. All top officials are there in Ernakulam. DGP is moving to the spot. We are taking it very seriously. I have spoken to DGP. We need to get more details after the investigation," the CM, as quoted by ANI.
People present at the site of the blast told PTI that multiple blasts rocked the area and the first one occurred during the prayer meeting.
"Subsequently, we heard two more blasts," an old lady inside the centre told news agency PTI. A Kalamassery police officer said the cause of the blast was yet to be ascertained and whether there was more than one blast was not confirmed yet.
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