Italian PM Meloni pays homage to Indian farm worker killed in Latina, condemns 'inhumane act'

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday (June 26) paid homage to Indian farm labourer Satnam Singh who succumbed to his injuries in a hospital after being abandoned roadside by his employer.

Italian Cabinet, including FM Antonio Tajani, stood up to pay tributes to Singh in the Italian Parliament.

Meloni calling Singh a victim of "inhuman acts" vowed strict punishments against the ones found guilty.

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"These are inhumane acts that do not belong to the Italian people. I hope that this barbarity will be punished harshly,” she said.

India calls for prompt action

India on Wednesday called for prompt action against the ones responsible for Singh's death.

The secretary (Consular Passport and Visa Division and Overseas Indian Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Muktesh Pardeshi raised the matter with Luigi Maria Vignali, Director General for Migratory Policies and Italians Abroad, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Pardeshi said that the Indian Eembassy in Italy was in touch with Singh's family for consular assistance and repatriation of mortal remains.

"@SecretaryCPVOIA Muktesh Pardeshi conveyed to @LuigiVignali Italian DG our deep concern about death of Satnam Singh & called for prompt action against those responsible. Embassy is in contact with family of Satnam Singh for consular help &transportation of mortal remains @MEAIndia," the Indian embassy in Italy posted on X.

Singh was abandoned roadside by his employer with a severed hand, following which he died in the hospital.

He sustained the injury while working on a farm in Latina, Italy, about 50 km from Rome.

Instead of receiving immediate medical attention, he was dumped near his house.

The incident was condemned by Italy’s Labour Minister Marina Calderone as an "act of barbarity."

Addressing the Italian parliament, Minister Calderone said, "The Indian agricultural worker who suffered a serious accident in the countryside of Latina and was abandoned in very serious conditions...has died."

As per local media reports, Satnam, approximately 31 years old, was working without legal papers.

He was injured on Monday (June 17) while cutting hay, accidentally severing his arm in a slicing machine.

According to local sources, it was Singh's wife and friends who alerted the police, following which an air ambulance was dispatched to his residence.

The opposition Democratic Party of Italy also criticised the conditions under which Singh was forced to work.

(With inputs from agencies)