Following multiple explosions at the Zamra International Convention Centre in Kalamassery of Kerala’s Ernakulam district on the morning of Sunday, October 29, Director General of Police (DGP) Sheikh Darvesh Sahib gave strict warnings against spreading hate speech on social media. In a press meeting, the DGP confirmed that the devices used for the blasts were Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and that in three consecutive explosions, one woman was killed and 36 others injured.

“We are investigating the matter. I will be at the spot shortly, we are examining evidence and we will take stringent action,” he said. He also requested everyone to stay calm and maintain peace, and warned against posting hateful comments on social media regarding the blasts. 

“I request that no provocative words or hate be posted on social media. If anybody does that, stringent action will be taken against them, “ he said. When asked whether this was a terrorist attack, the DGP further said that at this point of the investigation, no confirmation can be given about this. 

At the time of the blasts on Sunday morning, a prayer meeting of the Jehovah's Witnesses was going on at the Zamra Centre, attended by thousands of people. Jehovah’s Witnesses is a Christian sect that denies the idea of the Trinity. The blasts occurred a day after former Hamas chief Khaled Mashel virtually addressed a Palestine solidarity rally held in Malappuram by Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth organisation of Jamaat-e-Islami, where he said that support must be extended to Palestinians and that Israeli forces are taking revenge on Palestinians. Several social media users have been posting that this speech is linked to the blasts.

Also Read: Blasts in Jehovah’s Witnesses convention in Kerala: What we know so far