CM Vijayan announces 20-member team to probe Kalamassery blast
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Ernakulam: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday announced a special 20-member team to probe the blasts that took place at a convention centre in Kalamassery, Kochi, which claimed the lives of two persons and injured more than 40 people.
“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.
The blasts took place at Zamra International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Kalamassery around 9:30 a.m. during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses, attended by over 2,000 people. Two women lost their lives and more than 40 injured in the blasts.
A man named Dominic Martin, claimed responsibility for the blasts and surrendered before Kodakara police station in Thrissur. However, police have not yet confirmed his involvement in the explosion.
Also Read:Kalamassery explosion: Kochi resident claims responsibility, surrenders
Visuals of the convention centre that emerged online showed multiple fires and people in fear. In the aftermath of the explosion, hundreds of people were seen outside the convention centre.
Kerala's ADG (law and order) M R Ajith Kumar said that the police were examining the evidences Martin provided as well as the reasons he gave for carrying out the act.
Prior to surrendering before the police, Martin also put out a video message on a social media platform claiming responsibility for the bomb attack and stating his reasons.
In the video, he said that the group's preachings were "seditious" and that they did not heed his warnings to change their ways.
State Health Minister Veena George today said that 17 people were battling burn injuries sustained in the explosion while 12 of them in intensive care units.
George ordered all health workers on leave to return immediately and directed the Directors of the Health Department and Medical Education Department to provide the best possible treatment for those injured in the explosion.
Union home minister Amit Shah had spoken to Chief Minister Vijayan and assured of all help from the Centre in investigating the perpetrators of the blast.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday posted on X, “Dirty shameless appeasement politics by a discredited CM (and HM) @pinarayivijayan besieged by corruption charges Sitting in Delhi and protesting against Israel, when in Kerala open calls by Terrorist Hamas for Jihad is causing attacks and bomb blasts on innocent Christians."
Reacting to the Minister’s remarks on the blasts, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, "Those who’re poisonous, will keep spitting poison. One of the Union Ministers made a statement that I am doing appeasement politics and protesting against Israel. He is a minister and should give some respect to the investigating agencies. The probe is underway."
The Chief Minister Office also stated that people should not to indulge in baseless accusations, speculation campaigns and rumour-mongering following all-party meet in Kerala.
