The Syro-Malabar Church has expressed shock and pain at a series of explosions during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s meeting that on October 29 killed two and wounded more than 50 people in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
This incident “is highly condemnable” as it has caused pain and shock, says the Kerala-based Church’s Media Commission. It has demanded that the culprits be brought to justice through an impartial, honest and efficient investigation by federal and state agencies.
Three blasts occurred at the Christian group’s convention center in Kalamassery near Kochi, Kerala’s commercial capital.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the incident was serious and said a probe was underway.
Videos filmed shortly after the explosion and posted online showed flames inside the building and rescuers helping people. They also showed multiple fires and people in fear.
A man named Dominic Martin has claimed responsibility for the blasts and surrendered before police in Thrissur, some 85 km north of Kochi.
Martin, who was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, confessed to the crime and his motivation for the same on Facebook Live, which he posted before surrendering to the police.