The Prime Minister today asserted there will be consequences if the Italian Government does not respect its commitment and return the two marines to India. Dr. Singh urged the Italian government to send back two marines facing trail in the Indian fishermen killing case.
Sharing the concern of the Members Dr. Singh reiterated in the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour that actions of the Italian government are not acceptable and is a clear violation of the laws. He said all the diplomatic channel will be followed to bring them back.
Earlier the Prime Minister assured the House that government is ready for any discussion on the issue in the Lok Sabha. Dr. Singh said the whole country is agitated and concern over the issue.
Meanwhile in the Rajya Sabha today, cutting across party lines, members expressed grave concern over the Italian government’s refusal to send back the two marines involved in the killing of two Indian fishermen.
Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Leader of Opposition, Arun Jaitley termed it as a deception of Supreme Court and the Indian government by a sovereign nation.
He said it is the first instance of a state-sponsored abduction. Calling it a pre-scripted fraud, Mr Jaitley demanded government should take action against the Italian Ambassador.
Sitaram Yechury of the CPIM said it is a state-sponsored violation of the Indian law. His party colleague K N Balagopal demanded a discussion. V Maitreyan of the AIADMK suggested the arrest of the Italian Ambassador.
Tiruchi Shiva of the DMK asked why the government has not opposed the parole of the two marines before the Supreme Court.
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of the Trinamool Congress, Ram Gopal Yadav of the Samajwaqdi Party, N K Singh of the JD(U), Ravi Shankar Prasad and Najma Heptullah, both BJP, also spoke on the matter.
Responding to the concern of the members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said the government will address the matter with all the firmness it deserves and offered a comprehensive discussion on the floor of the House.
Agitated members trooped into the well of the House, forcing the Chair to adjourn it for about half an hour till One PM.
New Delhi today made it clear that the stand of the Italian government on sending back two Italian marines involved in the killing of two fishermen is unacceptable.
Foreign Secretary, Ranjan Mathai told reporters in New Delhi that India is awaiting the response from Italy and future course of action will be decided accordingly.
Meanwhile, senior Supreme court Lawyer Harish Salve today quit as Italy's Counsel in the case.
The Italian ambassador to India Daniele Mancini has said Rome is working with New Delhi to overcome the current standoff over its refusal to send back two Italian marines.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi today, Mancini said he will not shy away from finding a solution to the issue. His statement comes a day after External Affairs Ministry summoned him to convey India's position on the matter in the strongest of terms.
India demanded that the two marines Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone be sent back to face trial in the country. The marines are charged with killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year
