KALAMASSERY, India: Police in southern India apprehended a man for suspected involvement in triggering explosives at a Jehovah’s Witness gathering in southern India that killed at least three individuals and wounded fifty others, authorities said on Monday.
On Sunday, a large group of devoted Jehovah’s Witnesses had congregated for a prayer session at the Zamra International Convention Center in Kalamassery, a town in Kerala state. It was during this gathering that the explosion occurred. According to the state’s highest-ranking police officer, Sheik Darvesh Saheb, an initial investigation has indicated the use of an improvised explosive device.
The individual in custody, identified as Dominic Martin, had posted a video on Facebook in which he claimed responsibility for the explosion before voluntarily surrendering to the police. In the video, Martin expressed his belief that the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses were erroneous and cited this as his motivation for the explosion.
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Martin stated in the video, “They teach that all people of the world would perish and only they will live. What should we do with people who long for the ruin of the entire people in the world? I couldn’t find a solution. I took the decision realizing that this idea is dangerous to the country.”
Police are actively working to corroborate Martin’s claims. It’s important to note that Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves as Christians but adhere to distinctive beliefs and practices, and they are recognized for their practice of door-to-door proselytism.
