Comment

There are many serious frill issues connected to this incident.

First, what was the real provocation that led to the shooting?

Did the Italian ship try to communicate with the fishing vessel? Were the fishermen capable of understanding International maritime communication codes?

What is the usual experience of the International ships with similar fishing vessels? Do some of them with malicious intentions masquerade as fishermen and attack ships?

How come the Italian ship was carrying military personnel? If it was an Italian Navel vessel, what was it doing inside Indian waters, without due permission from the Indian navy? In other words, did the Indian forces arrest an Italian military vessel? Or did the incident take place in the High Seas? Or were the personnel accompanying a cargo ship as security personnel? If so, what were their instructions? How where they told to identify a sea vessel with inimical intentions?

Beyond all this there are these things to be discussed:

One, the issue of prerogative. Usually Indians are shot or killed otherwise by the Indian police and the Indian Army. It lies within their prerogative. It lies within their unwritten rights. The usurping of this right by an outside entity is something that will not be taken lightly the affected parties.

Second the issue of giving Italian native food and good residential facilities to the surrendered.  It is an action not seen benevolently by the Indian media. Rightly the captured people should be treated the way Indians would be treated. They should be made to stand with a bow in front of the police constable, with their hands shackled, and made to sit on the floor. Sleeping should be on mats, not on cots. They should be taken for questioning, with constable keeping a hand on their collar. It would be quite nice to address them with brutal words, which are there in Malayalam, but an Italian translation can also be made use of, signifying their doubtful paternity etc. The words Nee, Eda etc. should be profusely used as in the case of an Indian arrested man. If the Italians pretend that they cant understand the exact meaning of the words, an Italian translator should be found and the exact and effective words for Nee, eda etc. should be found, used and the meaning conveyed effectively. A sharp slap on the face at timely intervals should be given as almost all Indian common persons get in police stations.

Beyond all this is the case for compensation. For each person killed a compensation of Rs. One crore has to be given. That would really set a nice precedent. For every Indian killed by the police and army, the same amount has to be paid. Moreover Sri Lankan military personnel have killed lots of Indian fisherman, fearing them to be LTTE. A compensation of one Crore for each of these killings has to extracted, if necessary with force.

Yet, in the melee there is this incident also to be remembered. That of the Indian Navy sinking the Thailand-flagged FV PRANTALAY 14 and many feared killed. It was later reported that it was a case of mistaken identity. How the matter was hushed up may need scrutiny. If compensation was given, how much?

About the Indian police. Most of them are not really equipped to deal with any investigation other than as some sort of barbarians. Though the issue at hand is one that needs a humane understanding, for people have been killed, I remember an issue many years ago in Needakara, near Quilon (Kollam), where the police actually shot and killed a group of fishermen who were protesting against official apathy towards saving fishermen who had been caught in a storm in the seas. The enquiry was an eyewash and gave an pat for the police officer concerned.

If Italian ship is going to be arrested, well then many Sri Lankans ships will have to be similarly apprehended.

Even though the Italians are not the British, it would be a thing that would be viewed with delightful glee by a section of the patriotic Indians. Italians are White. So, if the British cannot be similarly shackled, well at least a serviceable substitute can be found in Italians. But then, Indian is de-facto ruled by an Italian family. May be after all at the higher levels India and Italy are really one nation! With India as the menial servant to the Italians: See this image: