Kalamassery blast series: Native of Kochi claims to have planted bomb, surrenders in police station

KOCHI: One person has surrendered in connection with the series of blasts that occurred during the Jehovah's Witnesses convention in Kalamassery. The native of Kochi surrendered at the Kodakara Police Station in Thrissur. He told police that he planted the bomb. The police are interrogating him in detail. No further information has been divulged.

Meantime, the police are also investigating about the car that left the convention center just before the series of blasts. Though the CCTV visuals of this has been obtained, the car could not be found. An Air Force helicopter is monitoring the area. Vehicle inspection has been tightened in the entire state including Kochi. The district police chiefs have been instructed to conduct a state-wide inspection. Patrolling will also be strengthened. A high alert has been issued in the state.

In the wake of the blast, the chief minister has called an all-party meeting. The meeting will be held tomorrow morning at 10 am in the secretariat. All parties are invited to the meeting.

Inspections will be conducted in crowded places and places of prayer. Other states are also on alert. A strict alert has been issued in UP, Delhi and Maharashtra.

A woman was killed and more than 35 people were injured in the blast that took place at 9:30 this morning. It is reported that the condition of seven people is critical. It is also reported that the child with 80 percent burns is on ventilator. The explosion took place at the Samra International Convention Center near the Medical College in Kalamassery. Today was the last day of the conference which has been going on since October 27. It is reported that more than 2000 people participated in the conference. The injured were shifted to Kalamassery Medical College.