Fishermen fume over Centre’s stand in SC

KOCHI: The stand taken by the Union Government in the Supreme Court on the Enrica Lexie case has sparked off a controversy among the fishermen community. Various fishermen organisations have registered strong protest against the government’s statement in the court.
The Centre on Friday submitted before the Supreme Court that the Kerala police had no authority to detain the Italian vessel ‘Enrica Lexie’. The Centre said that the Kerala police had no jurisdiction to detain the ship or probe the incident as the incident occurred on international waters.
“We suspect a conspiracy behind the statement,” alleged Joseph Xavier Kalappurakkal, general secretary of the All Kerala Boat Operators Association.
“We also suspect that the Italian vessel was carrying contraband articles. That is why they never permitted the inspection of the cargo on board the vessel. The Central Government should not have taken such a stand,” he said.
Lal Koyiparambil, state president of Kerala Swathanthra Malsyathozhilali Centre said the Government surrendered India’s sovereignty before the Italian government. “The Central Government will have to answer to the people of India for making such an irresponsible statement. Now, the issue is not a matter that affects the fishermen community alone, but the entire nation. The Italian government was not even bothered to make an apology in the incident, Lal said.