Kerala blast: Devendra Fadnavis says no special alert issued for Maharashtra following explosion in Kochi

Devendra Fadnavis/ File Photo

Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, assured on Sunday that no special alerts had been issued in response to the recent Kerala blast. Fadnavis emphasized the consistent vigilance of the police force, as major cities such as Mumbai and Pune are integral parts of the state, stated a report in PTI.

The tragic incident in Kerala witnessed two deaths and left 51 individuals injured, some of whom are in critical condition. Multiple explosions occurred at a Christian religious gathering held at a convention centre near Kochi, sending shockwaves throughout the state of Kerala.

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When questioned about any specific alerts or directives provided by his home department, Fadnavis, who was in Nagpur at the time, stated, "No special alert has been issued for Mumbai or the state in the aftermath of the Kerala blasts. Nevertheless, the state remains perpetually vigilant due to the presence of key cities like Mumbai and Pune."

Fadnavis further expressed that authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Kerala, staying abreast of developments.

The explosions unfolded at an international convention centre in Kalamassery, where hundreds of members of the minority Christian group, Jehovah's Witnesses, had congregated on the final day of a three-day prayer meeting.

Regarding the ongoing hunger strike by activist Manoj Jarange, who is advocating for the Maratha reservation, Fadnavis urged Jarange to prioritize his health, emphasizing the paramount importance of life. He also called upon those who are supporting Jarange to consider his well-being.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed the public that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is personally overseeing the matter of granting reservations in government jobs and education to the Maratha community. Fadnavis underscored the commitment of the Chief Minister to make the appropriate decisions concerning this issue.

Kerala Convention Centre blast

On Sunday, multiple bomb explosions rocked a Christian religious gathering in a convention centre near Kochi. Two women lost their lives, and 51 individuals were injured, some critically, which sent shockwaves across the state. The blasts occurred at an international convention centre in Kalamassery, where hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses had assembled for a three-day prayer meeting.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep concern over the incident and directed officials to investigate it thoroughly. Union Home Minister Amit Shah instructed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the National Security Guard (NSG) to launch an inquiry into the matter.