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David Cameron to mark British 1919 Amritsar massacre David Cameron marks British 1919 Amritsar massacre
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron will become the first serving UK prime minister to pay his respects at the scene of one of the bloodiest massacres in British history. David Cameron has become the first serving UK prime minister to pay his respects at the scene of one of the bloodiest massacres in British history.
Mr Cameron is visiting Amritsar in the state of Punjab on Wednesday, at the end of a three-day trade trip to India.Mr Cameron is visiting Amritsar in the state of Punjab on Wednesday, at the end of a three-day trade trip to India.
This was where hundreds of people at a public meeting were shot dead by British troops in 1919.This was where hundreds of people at a public meeting were shot dead by British troops in 1919.
The prime minister is not expected to offer a formal apology despite some calls for him to do so. The prime minister described the massacre as "a deeply shameful event in British history".
Writing in the memorial book of condolence, he added: "We must never forget what happened here."
But he is not expected to offer a formal apology despite some calls for him to do so.
Disputed tollDisputed toll
Thousands of people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh public gardens in Amritsar on 13 April 1919.Thousands of people gathered at the Jallianwala Bagh public gardens in Amritsar on 13 April 1919.
British colonial authorities had banned public meetings and a general was sent in to disperse the crowds.British colonial authorities had banned public meetings and a general was sent in to disperse the crowds.
Without warning, he blocked the exits and ordered his riflemen to open fire. They stopped 10 minutes later when their ammunition ran out.Without warning, he blocked the exits and ordered his riflemen to open fire. They stopped 10 minutes later when their ammunition ran out.
The death toll is disputed - an inquiry set up by the colonial authorities put the figure at 379 but Indian sources put it nearer to 1,000.The death toll is disputed - an inquiry set up by the colonial authorities put the figure at 379 but Indian sources put it nearer to 1,000.
Past prime ministers have expressed their regret, but Mr Cameron will be the first to pay his respects at the site in person. Past prime ministers have expressed their regret, but Mr Cameron is the first to pay his respects at the site in person.
The prime minister will lay a wreath and sign the book of condolence at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial. The prime minister laid a wreath at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, bowing his head and standing in silence.
He is understood to consider it a deeply shameful event that must never be forgotten, but he is not expected to make an official apology.
The killings were condemned by the British at the time - War Secretary Winston Churchill described them as "monstrous" in 1920.The killings were condemned by the British at the time - War Secretary Winston Churchill described them as "monstrous" in 1920.
During her visit in 1997, the Queen said it was a "distressing" example of the "moments of sadness" in the history between Britain and India.During her visit in 1997, the Queen said it was a "distressing" example of the "moments of sadness" in the history between Britain and India.
Mr Cameron wants his visit to focus on more positive ties of history, particularly by visiting the Sikh golden temple at Amritsar.Mr Cameron wants his visit to focus on more positive ties of history, particularly by visiting the Sikh golden temple at Amritsar.
Ties of historyTies of history
Ahead of his visit to Amritsar, Mr Cameron said: "This is my fourth time in India, but I've never made it to Punjab so I'm really looking forward to finally going there. Punjab is a place which has huge ties to Britain."Ahead of his visit to Amritsar, Mr Cameron said: "This is my fourth time in India, but I've never made it to Punjab so I'm really looking forward to finally going there. Punjab is a place which has huge ties to Britain."
He said there were ties of history - "both good and bad".He said there were ties of history - "both good and bad".
"In Amritsar, I want to take the opportunity to pay my respects at Jallianwala Bagh," he said."In Amritsar, I want to take the opportunity to pay my respects at Jallianwala Bagh," he said.
"This visit to Punjab is what my visit to India is all about - strengthening and deepening the ties between our two countries.""This visit to Punjab is what my visit to India is all about - strengthening and deepening the ties between our two countries."
On Tuesday, Mr Cameron held talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.On Tuesday, Mr Cameron held talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.
The trade delegation, accompanying the prime minister, includes representatives from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, London Underground and the English Premier League.The trade delegation, accompanying the prime minister, includes representatives from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, London Underground and the English Premier League.