Kerala blast: IED device caused blast at convention centre, says police chief

Kerala blast The blast at a convention centre in Kerala on Sunday that claimed one life and injured 36 others was caused due to an improvised explosive device IED state DGP Shaik Darvesh Saheb saidThe State Police Chief told reporters here that according to the preliminary probe the blast occurred due to an IEDWe are examining it he saidThis morning at 940 am approximately there was an explosion in Zamrah International Convention Centre in Kalamassery in which one person died and 36 people are undergoing treatment as per our information the DGP saidHowever there were conflicting reports about the number of blasts as state Ministers V N Vasavan and Antony Raju said there were two blasts while Congress MP from Ernakulam Hibi Eden said there were multiple blasts according to one of his friends who attended the conventionWhat they have told us is that there were two blasts according to the initial findings the ministers saidOn being asked whether it was a terror attack the DGP said he cannot say anything at this stageOnly after the investigation can I confirm the details We are examining all the angles We will find out who is behind this and will take stringent action against them the top police official saidHe also urged people to maintain peace and remain calm and asked them not to spread provocative or hate messages on social mediaSpreading of provocative or hate messages on social media would invite strict action he warnedThe DGP also said that as soon as he reaches the blast site a Special Investigative Team SIT will be constitutedMeanwhile Vasavan and Raju told media that many central agencies including the NIA were present at the sceneThey also said that the incident occurred at around 938 am on the last day of the convention and there were around 2300 people present there at that timeThe ministers including state Revenue Minister K Rajan said that the people were praying with their eyes closed when the blast occurredThey said that people came from various parts of the state for the conventionThe blasts occurred during the convention of the Jehovahs Witnesses a Christian religious group that originated in the United States of America in the 19th centuryAccording to official figures one woman died and 36 others were injured in the blastThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever