IED blasts in Kerala, Kochi man claims responsibility, releases video with shocking confession
New Delhi, October 30
Two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off at a religious convention centre in Keral killing two women, injuring 50 of which six are criticlly injured. A man from Kochi, Dominic Martin caimed responsiblity of the blast.
Dominic Martin willingly surrendered to the police. The police took him into custody from Kochi and are currently conducting a thorough investigation into his potential psychological condition.
The police stated that the explosion occurred at around 9:40 am during a prayer meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses in Kalamassery.
The police probing the scene of blast found batteries and wires at the blast scene were timers were used. However, there were no traces of a shrapnel to multiply the impact of the blast. The IED was placed near an oil container to exacerbate the fire.
The police booked a preliminary FIR, without naming a suspect, under sections 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 3(A) of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and 16 (1)(a) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention ) Act, 1967 (Amendment 2012).
Dominic Martin, an estranged member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, who is now in police custody, posted a video on social media taking responsibility for the act.
In the video, Dominic says, “I take responsibility for the blast. I am posting this video to convince you why I have done it. I had been a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses for the last 16 years. I was not very serious about my faith. I realised that their stand is anti-national and wanted them to rectify it. But they were not ready for it.”
He adds, “I could understand this is a wrong ideology. They inject poison into the brains of children that they should not take even a sweet from others. They are asked not to sing the national anthem or join the defence service. They teach that all people of the world would perish and only they will live. What should we do with the people who long for the ruin of the entire people in the world? I could not find a solution.”
“I took the decision realizing that this idea is dangerous to the country. If none reacts to this idea, they would think their ideology is correct. Jehovah’s Witnesses, your ideology is wrong. You should help others and respect others. During the floods, you cleaned only the houses of your members. This wrong ideology should be put to an end. The formula of the blast should not be revealed; it is dangerous,” he says.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and assured him of all possible help. He later dispatched an NIA (National Investigation Team) comprising a superintendent of police (SP) and forensic experts, and an NSG bomb disposal unit to the crime scene.
The NIa has now taken over the investigation.
