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Indians killed: Ship to hand over 2 guards?
Clean Media Correspondent
Kochi, Feb 19 (CMC) Time is running out for Italian ship Enrica Lexie to hand over two marines for questioning in connection with the killing of two Indian fisherman. The deadline expires at 8 am on Sunday.
Kochi's Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar had earlier visited the vessel on Saturday evening - the second visit by a police team for the day and met the captain and crew. The crew was told to surrender or face police action.
"Italian authorities have agreed to hand over two guards of Enrica Lexie to Kerala Police for questioning after Minister of External Affairs SM Krishna on Saturday talked to his Italian counterpart Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant'Agata regarding the Indian fishermen killing incident."
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has told Italy that they will have to face a probe under Indian laws. But Italians have reportedly refused to cooperate.
Reports suggest the Italian crew is awaiting for officials from Rome to arrive before deciding the next course of action.
Kochi police commissioner MR Ajith Kumar said the two guards will be handed over at 8 am on Sunday.
During his talks, Krishna has told his Italian counterpart that Indian law will have to be followed in the fishermen killing incident and the crew of Enrica Lexie will have to face probe. Krishna told the Italian minister that the crew of the ship should have exercised restraint as fishermen carried no arms, but only fishing nets.
The Italian foreign minister has expressed regret and sought mutually acceptable procedure to establish facts.
The Italian ship's crew has till now refused to be questioned and said they will cooperate only after discussing the matter with their diplomats. The crew is awaiting the arrival of a high-level team of diplomats from Italy to meet officials in Delhi and then advise them on the next step.
Kollam Police Commissioner Gopesh Agrawal is already on the ship waiting for further orders.
The ship owners and crew are reportedly ready to cooperate, but waiting for final word from the Italian authorities.
Taking a strong stand on the incident, Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said, "The killing of fishermen is a cruel incident. We will not let it pass till justice is done. We will not allow the culprits to escape from legal proceedings."
The IG of internal security in Kerala S Anand Krishnan told CMC that exact location of where the firing took place is still unclear despite the MHA maintaining that the incident did take place in Indian waters.
"There is a problem about the jurisdiction. But we have registered a case under Indian penal code. Their authorities are claiming that the case should be pursued under international law. The exact spot is yet to be established through technical corroboration. Will wait for diplomatic correspondence," said Krishnan.
However, Home Secretary RK Singh said, "The law is very clear. The vessel, in which the fishermen were travelling, was an Indian vessel; therefore action will be taken as per Indian law."
On Friday, the Home Ministry had given orders to the Kerala Police to arrest the armed guards on the ship.
Sources say that the Italian crew insists that India cannot take any action against them as they were in international waters, when the incident took place.
Commenting on the incident, Minister for Shipping GK Vasan said, "It is internationally well known fact that whenever pirates attack there is a proper protocol to tackle it. The protocol was not followed by the Italian ship. There was a delay made by the crew in contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)."
The Indian authorities say there is nothing to suggest that the fishermen were in the wrong. In fact it appears the ship was reckless in opening fire. It used excessive force and violated standard anti-piracy protocols; a case of murder has now been filed against the six armed guards.
Regional Commander of Coast Guard Region said, "If it (pirate attack) happens or likely to happen they are supposed to report to the concerned agency. No report has been received by the HQ. They should have reported about the pirate attack."
Indians killed: Ship to hand over 2 guards?
Clean Media Correspondent
Kochi, Feb 19 (CMC) Time is running out for Italian ship Enrica Lexie to hand over two marines for questioning in connection with the killing of two Indian fisherman. The deadline expires at 8 am on Sunday.
Kochi's Police Commissioner Ajith Kumar had earlier visited the vessel on Saturday evening - the second visit by a police team for the day and met the captain and crew. The crew was told to surrender or face police action.
"Italian authorities have agreed to hand over two guards of Enrica Lexie to Kerala Police for questioning after Minister of External Affairs SM Krishna on Saturday talked to his Italian counterpart Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant'Agata regarding the Indian fishermen killing incident."
External Affairs Minister SM Krishna has told Italy that they will have to face a probe under Indian laws. But Italians have reportedly refused to cooperate.
Reports suggest the Italian crew is awaiting for officials from Rome to arrive before deciding the next course of action.
Kochi police commissioner MR Ajith Kumar said the two guards will be handed over at 8 am on Sunday.
During his talks, Krishna has told his Italian counterpart that Indian law will have to be followed in the fishermen killing incident and the crew of Enrica Lexie will have to face probe. Krishna told the Italian minister that the crew of the ship should have exercised restraint as fishermen carried no arms, but only fishing nets.
The Italian foreign minister has expressed regret and sought mutually acceptable procedure to establish facts.
The Italian ship's crew has till now refused to be questioned and said they will cooperate only after discussing the matter with their diplomats. The crew is awaiting the arrival of a high-level team of diplomats from Italy to meet officials in Delhi and then advise them on the next step.
Kollam Police Commissioner Gopesh Agrawal is already on the ship waiting for further orders.
The ship owners and crew are reportedly ready to cooperate, but waiting for final word from the Italian authorities.
Taking a strong stand on the incident, Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said, "The killing of fishermen is a cruel incident. We will not let it pass till justice is done. We will not allow the culprits to escape from legal proceedings."
The IG of internal security in Kerala S Anand Krishnan told CMC that exact location of where the firing took place is still unclear despite the MHA maintaining that the incident did take place in Indian waters.
"There is a problem about the jurisdiction. But we have registered a case under Indian penal code. Their authorities are claiming that the case should be pursued under international law. The exact spot is yet to be established through technical corroboration. Will wait for diplomatic correspondence," said Krishnan.
However, Home Secretary RK Singh said, "The law is very clear. The vessel, in which the fishermen were travelling, was an Indian vessel; therefore action will be taken as per Indian law."
On Friday, the Home Ministry had given orders to the Kerala Police to arrest the armed guards on the ship.
Sources say that the Italian crew insists that India cannot take any action against them as they were in international waters, when the incident took place.
Commenting on the incident, Minister for Shipping GK Vasan said, "It is internationally well known fact that whenever pirates attack there is a proper protocol to tackle it. The protocol was not followed by the Italian ship. There was a delay made by the crew in contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)."
The Indian authorities say there is nothing to suggest that the fishermen were in the wrong. In fact it appears the ship was reckless in opening fire. It used excessive force and violated standard anti-piracy protocols; a case of murder has now been filed against the six armed guards.
Regional Commander of Coast Guard Region said, "If it (pirate attack) happens or likely to happen they are supposed to report to the concerned agency. No report has been received by the HQ. They should have reported about the pirate attack."
India must be tougher to save Indians.
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