Taranto:
The Italian marines may have earned the tag "killers" in India but in the south of Italy in their hometowns they are seen as heroes who tragically made an error and killed Indian fisherman. NDTV went to Taranto in Italy, where one of the marines, Massimiliano Latorre, lives.
The city is in a region that is known for its olive and almond trees but is also an important naval base and military port. Mr Latorre's neigbors were reluctant to speak on camera but there's hardly anyone in the street outside his house who doesn't know his story.
NDTV met a group of kids who were running around on the pavement. Even they knew who he was, and like most of their parents, believed he was innocent and spoke of him like he was a hero.
The mayor of the town, Ippazio Stefano, wrote a letter to the Indian government saying they would like to invite the children of the fishermen who were killed to study in Taranto. He says the town is not very rich but they will make an effort to finance the family and children to come.
Mr Stefano says the Italian marine should also contribute. He says Italians are grateful to the young Indians who gave up their lives in World War II to save Italy from Nazi occupation and that he wrote this letter straight from the heart.
"When I saw images of the children of the fisherman who died I was deeply concerned by their situation. Taranto is also a city of fishermen and we know that it's a tough life. We can understand their suffering and that of losing parents," he says.
Mr Stefano says he is keen to get a response to his letter. "We are waiting for the children and the family to show them our deepest empathy and to help them alleviate their suffering."
"Italian people have a lot of love and respect for Indian people and it's not just words," he adds.
The Mayor says he knows Mr Latorre's family personally because he conducted his marriage ceremony.
"He is a good generous person. Both his friends and co-workers appreciate him," he says.