Fishermen killing: Jelestine laid to rest

KOLLAM: Hundreds of people from the fishermen community and people’s representatives had turned up to bid farewell to Jelestine, who was killed by the guards of the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie. The funeral was held at 9.45 a.m. at the St Peter’s parish church, Moothakkara, near here. Earlier, P K Gurudasan MLA, District Collector P G Thomas, Mayor Prasanna Earnest, KCBC Madya Virudha Samiti secretary Fr T J Antony and DCC president Kadavoor Sivadasan paid their last respects to Jelestin at his residence. Kollam Bishop Stanley Roman also reached the residence and offered prayers to the deceased fisherman.Church slams killingsSpeaking to mediapersons at the residence of Jelestine, Kollam Latin Catholic Diocese Bishop Stanley Roman said that the unfortunate incident shows that agencies like the Coast Guard, which should have ensured the safety of the fishermen, had failed to do so. P K Gurudasan MLA said that the government should view the incident with more seriousness, as it was not a mere vehicle accident.