Fishermen burn effigy of PM, Italian marines
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 12 : Kerala Swathanthra Malsya Thozhilali Federaton (Kerala Independent Fishworkers Federation) today burned the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Italian marines allegedly involved in the killing of two fishermen.
The protest was against the refusal of Italy to return the two marines who committed the crime while on duty aboard a merchant ship.
Ajesh Binki and Valentine Gelastine, natives of Tamil Nadu and Kerala respectively, were allegedly shot dead by the Italian marines.
The incident sparked a major diplomatic row between Italy and India, with Indian police immediately opening a murder enquiry and later arresting the two marines.
The two Italian marines were released after 105 days in judicial custody under strict bail conditions and assurances from the Italian Embassy that they will remain available to answer charges before Indian courts.
However, on March 11, 2013, the Italian Foreign Ministry announced that the two Marines will not be returned there for trial.