Kerala Bomb Blast: A resident from Kochi has surrendered before the Kerala Police, claiming responsibility for the bomb blast at a convention centre in Kalamassery on Sunday, reports news agency IANS, citing sources. According to the report, the person claiming responsibility for the blasts had surrendered before the Trissur police station. He has claimed that he planted the bomb, which resulted in the death of a woman and left 40 people injured. Seven of them are in critical condition. The state police is investigating the man. The sources claim that the man came by himself and surrendered before the police.
The Kerala Chief Minister has called for an all-party meeting in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday to discuss the development.
Kerala Bomb Blast: Timeline Of The Incident
Multiple explosions were reported in Kerala’s Ernakulam district on Sunday, where a meeting of Jehovah Witness Believers was held. The top police officials have confirmed that there were two blasts.
Sunday was the last day of the three-day meeting, which started on October 27. According to officials, more than 2,000 people were attending the prayer meeting when the blasts took place.
"This morning, around 9:40 am, there was an explosion at Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre in which one person died and 36 more were injured. Those injured in the incident were admitted to hospitals where they are under treatment. The convention centre was hosting a regional meeting when the incident took place. All our senior officers are on the spot and the additional DGP is also on his way there. I will also reach the spot shortly. We are conducting a thorough investigation. We will find out who is behind this and take strict action," the DGP stated.
The preliminary probe suggests that IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) were used to trigger the blasts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) to rush teams to Kerala and start an investigation into the incident. The Home Minister also took stock of the situation in the state during a phone call with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Kochi Bomb Blast: Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian sect that originated in the United States in the late 19th century. It is known for its distinctive beliefs, which are different from normal Christianity. The centre of their faith is their belief in Jehovah as the name of God and that the end of the world is imminent. The group worships Jehovah as “the one true and Almighty God, the Creator”, who is “the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus”. They believe Jesus Christ to be the “King of God’s Kingdom in heaven”, but not as the Almighty God. They also believe in the text of the Bible, which they believe is the word of God.
This group does not celebrate Christian festivals such as Christmas or Easter, as they believe such festivals are inspired by Pagan traditions. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the end of the world is near and that the "Kingdom of God” will replace human governments on earth. The faith has millions of followers worldwide.
Origin Of Jehovah’s Witnesses
The origins of the sect lie in a Bible student movement that began in the 1870s by American pastor Charles Taza Russell. After Russell’s death in 1916, Joseph Franklin Rutherford became the leader of the group and adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931. Presently, the Governing Body of the group is located in New York.
In India, according to India Today, they have about 56,747 ministers who teach the Bible. At present, the group has 947 congregations in India. Like other parts of the world, they are engaged in public activities. They set up literature stands in public places, offer free copies of their publications, and provide an opportunity for people to engage in discussions about their faiths and beliefs.