Concerned over killing of two fishermen in firing by the security guards of an Italian ship, the government on Thursday said a case will be registered against the people responsible for the shooting and they will have to face Indian law.
“Case will be registered against the people responsible for the firing and the law will take its own course,” Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh told reporters.
He was replying to a question on what action will be taken on the killing of two fishermen in firing by security guards of an Italian ship off the Kerala coast, suspecting them to be pirates.
Official sources said the Kerala government as well as the Indian Coast Guard have informed the Home Ministry that the merchant vessel ‘Enrica Lexie’ was in Indian territorial waters when the incident took place and the security guards of the vessel had no authority to carry or use arms.
The Centre has taken the issue very seriously and is in regular touch with the Kerala government, they said.
The state government has conveyed to the Centre that after registration of the case, the people responsible for the firing will be arrested, they said. After their arrest, the foreigners may be allowed to have consular access, they said.
“They have to face Indian law,” a source said.
With regard to the merchant ship, the local authorities will see the relevant law and action will be taken accordingly.
