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Kochi/New Delhi: Two
crew members of an Italian tanker who allegedly shot dead two
Indian fishermen in the Arabian Sea Sunday were brought ashore
from the vessel by Kerala Police Sunday, even as Italian
officials, who held talks with their Indian counterparts, were
asked to let the law of the land take its course.
Though police did not make it clear if the two crew members were
arrested, it was clear that they were recording the statements of
the Italian tanker Enrica Lexie's crew members on the episode that
took place off the Kerala coast Wednesday.
The owners of the ship had late Saturday agreed to cooperate with
the inquiry.
Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Inspector General of Police K.
Padmakumar said: "The case has been registered by the Kollam
police and now it is their job to take forward the case and they
will do the needful after further questioning. The two Italians
are Lestorae and Selvasurae. I cannot say anything further now."
He said that detailed statements were taken by the investigating
officials from the captain of the ship and other crew members.
"Since the case has been registered by the Kollam police, it would
be a court in Kollam district which would look into this case,"
said Padmakumar.
A police team, also comprising ballistic and forensic experts,
boarded the ship Sunday morning for investigations.
Officials from the Italian Embassy were also aboard the ship and
were in constant touch with their officials, who landed in New
Delhi for talks with the Indian counterparts.
After about three hours of talks at South Block, a ministry of
external affairs spokesperson said the Italian authorities have
been asked to let the law of the land take its course in the case.
The Italian team comprised officials from the foreign, law,
justice and defence ministries and the Indian side was represented
by officials from ministry of external affairs and home affairs.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters
that the Italian authorities have been advised to fully cooperate
with the Indian investigators in Kerala for finding an amicable
solution to the issue. He also said that the law of the land would
take its own course.
In a phone conversation with his Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi
Saturday, Krishna made it very clear that the captain and crew of
the Italian ship will have to surrender and cooperate in the
investigation of the case.
The Italian foreign minister had called Krishna, according to a
release.
The Indian minister told his counterpart that loss of lives could
have been avoided had the naval personnel on board the Italian
merchant vessel Enrica Lexie been careful and exercised restraint.
"Our information clearly indicated that the Indian fishermen were
not carrying any arms or ammunition on board their vessel. Indian
fishing vessels do not carry these on board but only fishing nets
and the fish they catch," Krishna was quoted as telling his
counterpart.
He also informed that Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had
conveyed to the central government "the strong public opinion and
agitation in Kerala" at the lives lost and the need for an urgent
resolution of the crisis.
Two fishermen, Ajesh Binki, 25, from Tamil Nadu and Gelastine, 45,
from Kerala, were mistaken as pirates and shot dead by the crew of
the Italian cargo vessel on Wednesday evening, about 14 nautical
miles off Alappuzha.
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