Serial Blasts At Prayer Meeting In Kerala, 48-Year-Old Suspect Surrenders

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: The Kerala police has confirmed that the bomb explosion at a convention of Christian sect Jehovah’s Witnesses at Kalamassery in Kochi on Sunday morning in which two persons were killed and 52 others injured, was triggered by one Dominic Martin, a resident of Tamanam .

Dominic Martin reached Kodakara police station in Thrissur district on Sunday evening and surrendered before the cops. The police found visuals of the remote control used by him to trigger the blast, on his phone.

After triggering the explosion, Martin recorded a 12-minute live video on Facebook, claiming responsibility for the incident. ADGP intelligence M R Ajith Kumar told media persons that a person came to Kodakara police station and surrendered claiming that he triggered the blast at the convention in Kalamassery. He was identified as Dominic Martin.

The ADGP said Dominic Martin also provided supportive evidence to the police. He is a believer of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The explosion was carried out using Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The accused had used a tiffin box bomb with a bottle of petrol to set off the explosion and that’s one of the reasons why more people sustained injuries.

He recorded on his mobile phone the visuals of triggering the explosion using a remote control device. Dominic reached the convention Centre and returned from the spot after the explosion on a scooter.

Experts say the damage could have been humungous had shrapnels and pieces of glass been used in IED.

While the identity of one of the dead persons is yet to be ascertained, a 53 year old Kumari succumbed to her injuries on Sunday evening. A resident of Thodupuzha, she had sustained 90 per cent burns.

The condition of five injured persons is stated to be extremely critical with a high percentage of burns. Among the injured, there is a 12-year-old child who has more than 95 per cent burns. He is on ventilator support.

Meanwhile, Dominic Martin was brought to the Armed Reserve police camp in Kalamassery for detailed questioning. A police team carried out a search at Dominic Martin’s rented house in Tamannam.

Dominic said he had learned bomb-making during the past six months through videos available on the internet. The police are not taking Dominic’s claims at face value.

The cops are trying to get more details. Why did he exactly trigger the explosion? Were more people involved in the incident? Did he get any outside help? How and from where did he procure the explosive material? Did he receive any help in bomb making and detonating the explosives? Was Jehovah’s Witnesses' ideology alone the provocation for his act?

Dominic will be subjected to a medical examination.

High alert in Kerala

The police sounded a high alert across 14 districts and intensified patrolling. Detailed checks are being carried out at railway stations, bus stations, cinema halls, tourist places, and interstate borders and routine vehicle checks have also been intensified.

Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and discussed the law and order situation in the wake of the Kochi incident. The Centre has assured all help in investigating the incident.

The chief minister has called an all-party meeting in Thiruvananthapuram to discuss the situation in the state in the aftermath of the blast.

The police said Dominic originally belonged to Kadavanthara but was staying in a rented house in Tamanam along with his wife and daughter for the past five years. He was working in Dubai and had returned home on leave about a month ago.

According to the neighbours, Martin was a reclusive person and rarely spoke to the people there. He was seen moving in and out of the house during the night in the last few days. However, none suspected that he was engaged in the devious plan.

His wife informed the police that Dominic left home at 5 am on Sunday and they only got to know about his whereabouts after the shocking incident was aired on the TV channels.

A functionary of Jehovah’s Witnesses told media persons that they were not aware of the accused. The local members of the congregation disclosed that a person having an identical name did come for Bible classes about four years ago but after that, there was no connection with him.

Excerpts from the video message recorded live on Facebook by Dominic Martin after triggering the explosion. His FB account was found deleted later.

“I believe by now you all might have known about the incident that took place. There was a bomb explosion at a convention organised by the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation that has led to grave ramifications. I don't know the exact details. But I’m sure that the incident has happened. I am taking full responsibility for the incident. I was the one who triggered the bomb explosion there.

I am posting this video to inform you why I carried out this act. I am someone who has been associated with this congregation for 16 years. They did not take things seriously and took everything lightly. About six years ago I understood that it was a wrong organisation and it was indulging in anti-national acts. I asked them several times to rectify their functioning. But none was ready to do that. I could not find any other way, hence I wanted to react against the wrong ideology. Since I knew clearly and understood that this organisation was dangerous to the nation, I took this decision. I gave a detailed thought before making this decision. This wrong ideology has to be brought to an end in this country. I am saying with full conviction that this organisation is not needed for the country. Now I am going to the police station to surrender, therefore there is no need to trace me out. Please don't telecast the formula that was used to trigger the explosion. No media or social media should telecast the method.”