Italian ambassador summoned after killing of Kerala fishermen

NEW DELHI: With outrage over the killing of two fishermen off the Kollam coast in Kerala growing, India on Thursday summoned the Italian ambassador and registered a strong protest over the incident.

The fishermen were shot dead by security guards of an Italian ship on suspicion they were pirates.

The Kerala Police, in the meanwhile, was gearing up to file a case of murder and causing injury against those responsible for the firing. "A case will be registered. Law will take its course,'' home secretary RK Singh said on Thursday evening.

Earlier in the day, Italian ambassador Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte said his country's Navy had followed the international protocol. "The Italian Navy followed international protocol as it was approached by a vessel which did not stop when flash lights were sent," he said.

"There was no prior warning as reported by the crew,'' Indian officials told PTI. The tragedy, they said, had taken place inside the Indian territorial waters, and, hence, the local laws will be adhered to while registering the case.