by Zilgee 53 Replies latest social current
So very sad…It is clearly not safe in this day and age to be at a public event - anywhere.
The article I read said the perpetrator was a JW.. Whatever he was doesn’t take away from the fact that vulnerable innocent people were injured or killed.. Of course, any of us could be unsafe when we step out of our home.. But, anybody still left in the JW religion should realize they are very vulnerable as potential targets when they go to a large assembly and (maybe) even their local hall.
Tragedy.
Public events are no longer safe.
Agreed.
These kinds of acts are beyond the pale. The people who commit atrocities like this forfeit all claim of humanity.
It is shocking and very sad. I will be following the story as it develops.
A few things that seem especially alarming:
- Previous JW-related shootings, etc have mostly been individuals targeting a specific Kingdom Hall, with personal grievances against individuals. This one is apparently aimed at killing anyone they could get. A terrifying escalation.
- You don't hear of many terrorist-type crimes from India. Isn't this very unusual for that country?
-JWs are such a small minority in India (60,000 out of 1.4 billion) that it seems like no one there has probably heard of them. Do they have that many enemies there so as to engender such hatred?
-a person named Dominic Martin has claimed to be responsible. If he is indeed the one, what nationality is he, and what is his backstory?
- There were three nearly simultaneous explosions. Was he really working alone or were there accomplices?
The bomber reportedly said:
I was in the neighboring state's convention when this happened, and all conventions on Sunday and the next week in South India have been canceled.
Going by what my friends say, the bomber used to study with a JW and was a nationalist. He had created a lot of problems for the local congregations in the past.
He came to the convention dressed as a convention attendee, planted the bombs in tiffin boxes while associating with people there, and left as soon as the opening prayer began. Three bombs exploded within 5 seconds of each, and the resulting smoke made evacuation difficult. The body of the sister who died was charred beyond recognition.
In his video, the bomber said he was concerned about children and what JW's teach them, however, he chose to bomb a place where multiple children were present. Sadly, a 12-year old girl has suffered 95% burns and is on ventilator support, and 3 other children (ages 5-10) suffered 60% burns and are in critical care units.
There's so much hate, fear and paranoia amongst the JWs that there is little wonder why these things are happening.
Total 3 casualties till now, with the death of the 12 year old girl just a few hours ago. 4 JW's still in critical condition and on life support. 56 JW's burnt with 40% burns and getting treated.
Edit: One change: The bomber admitted to the police that he placed 4 explosives around the auditorium to inflict maximum damage, and sat on the last row near the door. After the opening prayer was said and the audience settled down, he denoted each explosive within 5 seconds of each, and 3 exploded. After recording each explosion on his mobile, he fled through the door and traveled to another city amidst the chaos.
Terrible thing…Since India has capital punishment, I hope the perpetrator gets it .
Perhaps it is time for them to employ professional security guards. As an attendant we knew there were also security guards but although keen…. they were amateurs.
Exactly, Longy and Beth Sarim. Afraid to travel -- canceled 2 trips past couple mos. We'll all be afraid to travel to edge of town. This ongoing world horror is going to drag the economy down more.
Unfortunately, this convention tragedy will probably strengthen the JWs faith to carry on.
