Thiruvananthapuram: Italy's Deputy Foreign Minister Steffan de Mistura met Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday night over the alleged killing of two Indian fishermen by Italian naval guards. Both sides stuck to their positions. Rome has been seeking immunity for its navy personnel arguing that the incident occurred in international waters. But Delhi has been refusing to relent.
The Italian minister wanted to meet the victims' families, but Chandy told him that the situation was 'not right' for that.
The police custody of the two accused will end on Thursday. They will be in judicial custody for the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the Kollam Magistrate has directed the Kochi Port Trust to bring the Italian ship Enrica Lexie back to the harbour. The police wants to search the vessel.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chandy said his government would go ahead with prosecution of the two Italian naval guards who allegedly killed the Indian fishermen off Kollam coast, saying "it is the right and power of the state".
"The two Italians have been booked under Section 302 of IPC and government's stand is it will proceed with the investigation. It is the right and power of the state. The Centre has extended full support to Kerala's position," he said.
Chandy said Kerala viewed the killings 'very seriously' and has not accepted arguments of Italian officials on the issue.
(With additional information from PTI)
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