After Kerala serial blasts, 3 states on high alert; security beefed up at public spots
Security has been tightened in the national capital and Mumbai, and Uttar Pradesh following the serial blasts during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s Witnesses at a convention centre in Kerala‘s Kalamassery today.
The Delhi Police said that security has been stepped up in crowded areas of the city because of the blasts. Similarly, the Mumbai Police has issued a high alert and increased security in view of the festive season, upcoming cricket matches, and the recent blasts in Kerala. Security has already been stepped up at Chabad House, a Jewish centre in Mumbai, owing to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
“The Special Cell of the Delhi Police is in constant touch with intelligence agencies and is taking any input seriously. Security arrangements are being made at crowded places,” the Delhi Police said in a statement.
Similarly, the Mumbai Police has issued a high alert notice across the city and increased security given the festive season, upcoming cricket matches, and the recent blasts in Kerala.
“We are always on alert, no separate alert has been given, but we are careful because big cities like Mumbai and Pune are in Maharashtra. We have to constantly take care that no wrong activities take place. Our efforts are going on in that direction,” Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said.
According to the police, security has already been stepped up at Chabad House, a Jewish centre in Mumbai, owing to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
After the serial blasts in Kerala, Uttar Pradesh SDG Law and Order Prashant Kumar on Sunday ordered all the districts to remain alert. All the security agencies were also alerted, and teams are busy investigating the inputs received in the past few days.
“Every program related to the Israel-Hamas conflict will be monitored. Orders have been given to keep special surveillance in several districts including Kanpur, Meerut, Varanasi, Aligarh, Lucknow, Hapur, Baghpat, Bareilly, Rampur, and Agra,” said SDG.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Police said that an improvised explosive device (IED) was used in the attack and that a special investigation team (SIT) would be formed to investigate the case. Sources have claimed that the explosive was placed in a tiffin box.
Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the phone following the string of explosions. Shah ordered the heads of the NIA and NSG, two central agencies specializing in counterterrorism investigations and operations, to dispatch their specialized teams to the scene to begin an inquiry.
A Kalamassery police official said the cause of the blast was unknown. The blast reportedly occurred at a convention centre of a Christian group. Meanwhile, a 4-member NIA team rushed to the spot to investigate along with the local police.
The police said a call was received around 9 a.m. about the blast and seeking police assistance.
Visuals of the incident showed the fire rescue team and police personnel in large numbers evacuating people from the site.
Confirming that one person died and two others were in critical condition, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “It’s a very unfortunate incident. We are collecting details regarding the incident. All top officials in Ernakulam are there. We are taking it very seriously. I have spoken to the DGP and we will get more details after the investigation.”
State Industries Minister P Rajeev said the blast site is cordoned off and police and fire rescue have been pressed into service. Rajeev said that reportedly few of the injured have suffered serious burns.
Stating that they are yet to identify the cause of the explosion, P Rajeev said, “I have spoken to all officials. All directions have been issued. We are yet to identify the cause. Let all the inspections be completed. Nobody will be allowed near the spot as of now.”
Health Minister Veena George has directed all health workers, including doctors, who are on leave to return immediately. She has also informed the Director of the Health Department and the Director of the Medical Education Department to provide the best treatment for those injured in the explosion in Kalamassery.
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