Quilon
(AsiaNews) - Numbering 48,501 out of a population of 5.3 million people, Christians
in Quilon (Kollam) District are under shock and scared, after two Italian
marines probably killed two Kerala fishermen.
"No one here is
against the Italian government or Italian soldiers," Fr Stephen G.
Kulakkayathil told AsiaNews. "We just
don't want this kind of things to happen again in the future," said the
clergyman, who is also secretary general of the Kerala Region Latin Catholic
Council.
Gelastine, one
of the two victims, came from Quilon Diocese. He left a wife and two boys, 17
and 8. Their mother is not employed but the Kerala state government said it
would find her a job.
Meanwhile, both she
and the widow of the other fisherman, Binki, will receive 500,000 rupees in
compensation from Indian authorities.
These measures
have not lessened the sense of sorrow or fear in the community. "Most of them
are fishermen by tradition," the clergyman said. "When fish got rare near the
coast, they had to use motorboats to go further out into the sea."
"Boats have
always had accidents as a result of rough sea, rocks or other problems. Some fishermen
have died. But no one was shot to death. It is a nightmare for them. The government
must do something to increase security on the sea."
The local Church
is highly critical of the media hype over the diplomatic aspect of the
incident.
"As a diocese,
we want and demand these families feel safe," Fr Kulakkayathil said. "We
condemn the political use of this tragic incident because it debases the value
of human life. Humans and their needs must be at the centre of things. The culprits
must be found and the families must be helped."
"We appreciate
the words of solidarity coming from the Kerala government, but we are steadfast
in our demand that everything possible be done for these families."
Although the
incident has upset the community in Quilon, there is positive side to it. Urged
by the Church, fishermen appear to have put aside ethnic and social differences
that kept them apart and are now finding a new unity.
"It is normal
that such tragedies push old animosities in the background," the clergyman said.
"We are helping them understand the value of this union so that they can act
together for the greater good." (GM)
