Merchant ships asked to report armed guards' presence on-board

Following the killing of two fishermen by security guards of an Italian vessel off Kerala coast, the government has asked all merchant ships to report the presence of armed guards on-board to the Indian Navy or the coast guard.

"All merchant ships have been advised by the Directorate General (Shipping) vide M.S notice, dated March 07, 2012 to report the presence of armed guards on-board to the Indian Navy/the Indian coast guard," Shipping Minister G K Vasan told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He added that the government has issued guidelines for deployment of armed guards on Indian merchant ships. He, however, did not give the details.

Two fisehrmen were killed in a firing by security guards of an Italian Vessel off Kerala coast on February 15. "The Indian coast guard diverted the ship to Kochi. The two Italian security guards have been taken into custody by the state police," Vasan said.

The Shipping Minister further said the Kerala government had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.

Besides, the Tamil Nadu government has also made a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family of one of the deceased, who belonged to the state, he added.