Former Jehovah’s Witnesses Member Detained for Bombings at Religious Gathering in India
Kochi, India – A former member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses group has been detained for questioning regarding his alleged involvement in setting off homemade bombs at a meeting of the group in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The bombings occurred on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two women and injuring dozens of others.
According to authorities, a 53-year-old woman succumbed to burn injuries, bringing the total fatalities to two. A 12-year-old girl with 95% burns remains in critical condition.
Dominic Martin, the suspected perpetrator, posted a video on Facebook claiming responsibility for the attacks before surrendering to police. He turned himself in at a police station in Thrissur district, about 40 kilometers away from the site of the explosions.
While Martin is currently being questioned by authorities, his arrest has not been recorded yet. The police are still investigating the veracity of his statement and have not confirmed his involvement in the case.
The incident occurred during a Jehovah’s Witnesses convention in Kalamassery, located about 10 kilometers northeast of Kochi city. The regional spokesperson for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, TA Sreekumar, confirmed the occurrence of at least two explosions at the convention center. He told Reuters that Martin was not a registered member of the group, and it remains uncertain if he was present at the event.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that an improvised explosive device was used in the attack, according to Kerala Director General of Police Shaik Darvesh Saheb. Witnesses reported at least three explosions happening inside the convention hall, as stated by local newspaper Mathrubhumi.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that the police are treating the incident seriously. Sreekumar, the spokesperson for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, described how the explosions unfolded seconds after a prayer ended during the day’s event. The first blast occurred in the middle of the hall, followed by two more explosions on either side simultaneously.
Jehovah’s Witnesses is an international Christian denomination founded in the United States in the late 19th century. The group is known for door-to-door evangelism and claims to have approximately 60,000 followers in India.
The investigation into the bombings is still ongoing, with authorities working to determine the motive behind the attacks and the extent of Martin’s involvement.
(Writing by Swati Bhat; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Bernadette Baum)