India demands return of marines, Italian stand unacceptable

Kochi, March 12: India on Tuesday rejected the position of Italian Government not to send the two marines accused of killing two fishermen in Kerala and asked for their return to face the ongoing trial.

India's position was made clear to Italian Ambassador in New Delhi by Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai.

The Italian ambassador was summoned by the foreign secretary.

Earlier in the day a delegation of MPs from kerala met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and registered their protest over the stand taken by Italy .

According to the MPs, Prime Minister assured them that government will take up the matter urgently with Italy.

The marines -Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone charged with homicide for killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February last year in an anti-piracy operation, were permitted by the apex court on 22nd of last month to go to Italy for four weeks for voting in election.

Last time they were allowed to go home for Christmas holidays after which they returned back to India on expiry of their leave.