Fishermen deaths: Italy min calls Krishna

New Delhi, Feb 20 (IBNS) Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant'Agata has called External Affairs Minister (EAM) SM Krishna over the shooting of two Indian fishermen by crew of an Italian merchant vessel.

"External Affairs Minister Shri S.M. Krishna received a call from the Italian Foreign Minister His Excellency Mr. Giulio Maria Terzi di Sant'Agata at 2000 hrs on February 18. The telephonic conversation related to the incident on February 15, 2012 when two Indian fishermen were shot dead by personnel on board the Italian merchant vessel Enrica Lexie off the coast of Kerala in south-west India," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement.

"Minister Terzi conveyed his deep regret at the loss of the the lives of the two fishermen and expressed his desire that both countries should work together to find a mutually acceptable procedure to establish the facts beyond any doubt and determine responsibilities," the MEA said.

"External Affairs Minister conveyed to the Italian Foreign Minister that it was unfortunate that innocent lives had been lost which could have been avoided had the naval personnel on board Enrica Lexie been careful and exercised restraint.

"He told his Italian counterpart that 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. He said that the law should be allowed to take its course," read the statement.

Krishna informed the Italian Foreign Minister of his telephonic conversation with the Chief Minister of Kerala who conveyed the strong public opinion and agitation in the state at the loss of the innocent lives and the need for an urgent resolution of this issue.

"Minister Shri S.M. Krishna emphasized that the personnel on board Enrica Lexie, particularly the Captain of the ship and the two concerned personnel involved in the shooting, should fully cooperate with the concerned Indian investigating authorities. He hoped that the issue will be satisfactorily resolved," said the MEA.

Meanwhile, the captain and two crew members of the Italian ship were taken into custody on Sunday by the southern state´s police.

They were charged with murder under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code and will be handed over to the Kollam Police for production in court.

On Wednesday, security officials of an Italian cargo vessel, Enrica Lexie, shot dead two Indian fishermen mistaking them as pirates in the high seas off Ambalapuzha in Kerala.

Even as a a diplomatic row continued between Italy and India over the custody of the errant marines of Enrica Lexie, Kochi Police had started questioning the crew members on board and later had asked them to surrender.

Later they were taken into custody.