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2023 Kerala bombing

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Coordinates: 10°03′32″N 76°21′33″E / 10.0589268°N 76.3592979°E / 10.0589268; 76.3592979
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Kalamassery convention centre blast
LocationZamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery, Kerala, India
Coordinates10°03′32″N 76°21′33″E / 10.0589268°N 76.3592979°E / 10.0589268; 76.3592979
Date29 October 2023
9:40 AM (GMT +5:30)
WeaponsIED
Deaths3
Injured50+

On 29 October 2023, a series of improvised explosive device (IED) blasts took place during a Jehovah's Witnesses convention in Kalamassery, India.[1][2] Two women and a child were killed and more than fifty other people were injured when the Christian denomination was holding the Sunday morning session of their annual regional convention in southern India's Kerala state.[3][4] A man named Dominic Martin has surrendered at the Kodakara police station, confessing to being responsible for the blast. The cause of the blast is still under investigation.[5][6]

Background

The Jehovah's Witnesses group claims to have approximately 8.5 million[7] followers worldwide and around 60,000 in India,[1] with a significant presence in Kerala known for door-to-door evangelism. In 1986, the Indian Supreme Court backed its followers, ruling that their children could not be compelled to sing the national anthem in schools. Supporters of the movement argued that singing the anthem would constitute "a form of idolatry and an act of unfaithfulness to their God Jehovah" due to their conscience.[8]

Incident

On the morning of 29 October 2023, about 2500 members of Jehovah's Witnesses gathered at the Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Kalamassery, Kerala, South India. The blasts occurred at 9:40 AM and fire was reported in the building[3] located 10 km northeast of Kochi city. Witnesses say that there were multiple explosions, and that the hall was filled with smoke and fire. People rushed out of the center in panic, and some were injured in the stampede.[5] One of the victims was found charred to death in the middle of the hall.[9] The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, and some are in critical condition.[10] [11]

Victims

Two women died on the day of the blast, while a 12-year-old girl with 95% burns succumbed to her injuries on the next day. More than 50 others were injured in the blasts. 17 people had been admitted to different hospitals, 12 of whom were in intensive care. Those who are critically ill have burns above 50-60%.[8]

Suspect

Dominic Martin, a resident of Thammanam who claims to be a renegade member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, surrendered at a police station in Kodakara and confessed that he is behind the blast. Prior to surrendering, he posted a video on Facebook where he was seen saying that he resented the Witnesses’ “antinational” doctrines. Police were suspicious of Martin’s claim, and took him to custody for further questioning.[12][8]

Investigation

Initially, it was speculated that some Islamist terrorist groups might be behind the blasts and the incident was falsely connected to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.[13][14] However, further interrogation of Dominic Martin by investigation agencies have revealed evidence that this was indeed an insider attack.[15] Preliminary investigation indicated that an IED placed inside a tiffin box might have caused the blasts.[8]

Response

According to the Kerala Director General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb, preliminary investigation indicated that an improvised explosive device was utilized.[1] The Kerala government put the state on high alert after the blasts. Police and security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, and checks are being carried out at all entry and exit points to the state.[16][3]

The National Security Guard, India’s national counter-terrorism unit, moved one of its bomb disposal units from New Delhi to Kerala in order to conduct an investigation and collected evidence from the blast site.[3]

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the blasts. The NIA is India's premier counter-terrorism agency, and it is investigating the possibility that the blasts were carried out by a terrorist group.[17][18][19][20]

Shortly after the bombing occurred, false claims that it was linked to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war spread on social media.[21]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Devasia, Jose; Ponnezhath, Maria; Thomas, Chris (29 October 2023). "India police probe bomb blasts that killed three in Kerala". Reuters.
  2. ^ "Kalamassery convention centre blast: Kochi resident claims responsibility, surrenders before Kerala Police". Orissa Post. Kochi. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Sharma, Shweta (29 October 2023). "Kerala on high alert as explosion hits southern India Christian prayer gathering". The Independent.
  4. ^ "Woman killed, several injured in explosion at a convention centre in Kerala's Kalamassery". The Hindu. 29 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Kerala Blast Live: '41 people hospitalised, special team probing incident,' says CM". Hindustan Times. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Kerala Bomb Blast News | Kalamassery Convention Centre Blast Live: One killed, 36 injured in Kochi; IED device used for explosion, confirms state police chief". The Times of India. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  7. ^ "2022 Grand Totals". Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society.
  8. ^ a b c d Mollan, Cherylann; Padanna, Ashraf (30 October 2023). "Kerala attacks: India police investigate deadly blasts targeting Jehovah's Witnesses". BBC News. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Kalamassery blasts: Death toll climbs to 3 as 12-year-old girl succumbs to burns; police identify first victim". OnManorama. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  10. ^ Livemint (29 October 2023). "Kerala Blast Live Updates: 'This is a horrific tragedy', says Kerala Governor". mint. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Kalamassery blasts: toll rises to three as 12-year-old girl succumbs to injuries". The Hindu. 30 October 2023.
  12. ^ Devasia, Jose; Ponnezhath, Maria; Thomas, Chris (29 October 2023). "India police probe bomb blasts that killed two in Kerala". Reuters.
  13. ^ "Kalamassery explosion triggers hate speech, fake news; Police warn of strict action". English.Mathrubhumi. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  14. ^ Varma, Aishwarya (29 October 2023). "False Claims About Jews Being Targeted in Kerala Blasts Go Viral on Social Media". TheQuint. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Martin Dominic, Man Behind Kerala Blasts, Wanted to Teach Jehovah Witnesses a 'Lesson' | Intel Sources". News18. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  16. ^ "Kochi Convention Centre Blast Live Updates: Toll rises to two as woman undergoing treatment for burns succumbs". The Indian Express. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  17. ^ Devasia, Jose; Ponnezhath, Maria; Thomas, Chris (29 October 2023). "India police probe bomb blasts that killed two in Kerala". Reuters. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  18. ^ "Man who claims to be from Jehovah's Witnesses surrenders, takes responsibility for Kochi blasts". The Telegraph. 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Kalamassery convention centre blast: Police yet to record arrest of Dominic Martin". The Hindu. 29 October 2023. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Kalamassery blast: Islamic organisation demands strict action against those who spread rumours". Onmanorama.
  21. ^ Shah, Soham (30 October 2023). "Blasts targeting Kerala's Jehovah's Witnesses falsely linked to Israel-Hamas conflict". Logically. Retrieved 31 October 2023.

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