"Blast probe progressing efficiently" says Kerala CM Vijayan
Oct 30, 2023
Kochi (Kerala) [India], October 30 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said that the probe into the multiple blasts at a religious gathering in Kochi that claimed three lives and left several injured was "progressing efficiently".
Addressing the media here after visiting the injured at various city hospital, Vijayan also said that the state was able to stand alone to deal with the incidents.
"Doctors are hopeful. Hospitals are working with so much dedication. In connection with the investigation, what happened to Martin (man who surrendered before Police) has come out. The DGP is supervising the investigation. It is progressing efficiently," he said.
The Kerala CM also said that the all-party meeting had a good response.
"All-party meeting had a good response. The media did a good job in dealing with this. Kerala was able to stand alone in dealing with the incident," he added.
However, hitting back at Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar over his claim that the Left government in Kerala was showing growing tolerance towards "radicalism and radicalisation", he said that the Union Minister had been spewing not just poison, but deadly poison in a bid to dent the secular credentials of Kerala.
"I am not asking what is wrong with him. He is a man who has entered politics because he is well-versed in BJP politics. I had spoken to the Union Home Minister the other day and informed him in detail about the matter. His (Rajeev Chandrasekhar) remarks and those of his associates were aimed at a certain section. It is only because Rajeev Chandrasekhar's distorted mind cannot see it, and that is why it is not possible to destroy Kerala's identity," he said.
Coming down heavily on the LDF government after twin blasts at a prayer hall in Kerala left two people dead and several injured, Chandrasekhar said the Kerala government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was increasingly tolerant of radical elements in the state.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the twin blasts at the Zamra International Convention and Exhibition Centre rose to three after a 12-year-old girl, identified as Libina from Malayattoor, succumbed to her injuries in the early hours of Monday.
A man identified as Dominic Martin posted a video on Facebook later on Sunday, claiming responsibility for the attacks.
He later surrendered at the Kodakara police station in Thrissur. The police, however, said that they were still in the process of verifying Martin's claims.
