Thiruvananthapuram, March 12: Italy’s refusal to send back two marines to face a murder trial in India has kicked off a blame game in Kerala, with the chief minister passing the buck to the courts and the Opposition tearing into the ruling party.
Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who had shot dead two Kerala fishermen off the state’s coast a year ago, had been allowed by the Supreme Court in February to travel home to vote in an election. Rome yesterday said they were not coming back.
The mood was sombre today at Congress chief minister Oommen Chandy’s weekly news briefing, where he announces cabinet decisions.
Chandy’s voice suddenly acquired a grim tone as he touched on the marine controversy, well aware of its possible political fallout in the state.
“The Italians’ decision cannot be accepted. They should subject themselves to Indian law,” he said.
Chandy repeatedly emphasised that the state government had opposed the marines’ return to Italy both times, during Christmas and in February, but the courts had granted permission.
“When they wanted to go home for Christmas, we opposed it and said their families could come to Kerala and celebrate the festival with them. But the high court gave them permission,” Chandy said.
“When they requested permission to go home (on the strength of a) promise by their diplomats in India, we opposed it. We pointed out that the diplomats enjoy immunity from Indian laws and hence even the courts cannot act against them (if the promise is not honoured).”
Chandy explained his next course of action. “As a first measure, we will register our strong protest with the Centre and convey our demand. I have already sent fax messages to the Prime Minister and external affairs minister,” he said.
“I am leaving for New Delhi tonight. Tomorrow morning, I shall meet the lawyers concerned to understand the legal issues involved. Besides informing the Centre about our protest, I shall try to explore the legal possibilities (of bringing them back).”
CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and BJP state president V. Muraleedharan, however, alleged “an orchestrated drama” by the authorities.
T.V. Rajesh, state secretary of CPM youth wing DYFI, said matters had gone on expected lines given that India was under the “shadow rule of Italy” — an allusion to Sonia Gandhi’s origins. Rajesh said his outfit would observe a “black day” across Kerala tomorrow.
The wife of one of the dead fishermen, Gelastine, too claimed the marines had escaped to Italy as part of a conspiracy.
Retired Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer accused Italy of cheating India.
Gelastine and Ajesh Binki were shot dead in February last year by the marines who were guarding an Italian ship against piracy. The Italians have claimed they mistook the fishermen as pirates.
