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David Cameron marks British 1919 Amritsar massacre | David Cameron marks British 1919 Amritsar massacre |
(about 5 hours later) | |
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. | 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 described the massacre as "a deeply shameful event in British history". | 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." | Writing in the memorial book of condolence, he added: "We must never forget what happened here." |
He later defended his decision not to offer a formal apology saying the British government had "rightly condemned" the massacre at the time. | |
"I don't think the right thing is to reach back into history and to seek out things that we should apologise for. I think the right thing to do is to acknowledge what happened, to recall what happened, to show respect and understanding for what happened," he added. | |
While Mr Cameron was in India, a Downing Street source told the BBC that the Red Arrows - the RAF's famous display team - was safe as long as he was prime minister. | While Mr Cameron was in India, a Downing Street source told the BBC that the Red Arrows - the RAF's famous display team - was safe as long as he was prime minister. |
The RAF has offered its expertise to the Indian military to enable its Surya Kiran display team to conduct similar colourful flypasts. | The RAF has offered its expertise to the Indian military to enable its Surya Kiran display team to conduct similar colourful flypasts. |
There has been speculation in the media that the Red Arrows could be axed as part of defence cuts in the UK. | There has been speculation in the media that the Red Arrows could be axed as part of defence cuts in the UK. |
Disputed toll | Disputed 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 is 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 laid a wreath at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, bowing his head and standing in silence. | The prime minister laid a wreath at the Jallianwala Bagh memorial, bowing his head and standing in silence. |
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 Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest site in the Sikh religion. | Mr Cameron wants his visit to focus on more positive ties of history, particularly by visiting the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the holiest site in the Sikh religion. |
The prime minister, bare-footed and wearing a blue bandanna to cover his head, also visited the kitchens which feed thousands of pilgrims every day and tried his hand at flipping chapatis. | The prime minister, bare-footed and wearing a blue bandanna to cover his head, also visited the kitchens which feed thousands of pilgrims every day and tried his hand at flipping chapatis. |
Later he said: "In coming here to Amritsar, we should celebrate the immense contribution that people from the Punjab play in Britain, the role they play, what they give to our country. | Later he said: "In coming here to Amritsar, we should celebrate the immense contribution that people from the Punjab play in Britain, the role they play, what they give to our country. |
"What they contribute to our country is outstanding and it is important to understand that and pay respect to that and to seek a greater understanding of the Sikh religion and that is why this visit to the holy temple, the Golden Temple, was so important." | "What they contribute to our country is outstanding and it is important to understand that and pay respect to that and to seek a greater understanding of the Sikh religion and that is why this visit to the holy temple, the Golden Temple, was so important." |
In 1984 the Golden Temple was invaded by Indian troops seeking to flush out militants who wanted an independent Sikh state in the Punjab. | In 1984 the Golden Temple was invaded by Indian troops seeking to flush out militants who wanted an independent Sikh state in the Punjab. |
Operation Blue Star enraged many Sikhs and the Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. | Operation Blue Star enraged many Sikhs and the Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. |
Retired Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar, who led Operation Blue Star, was attacked in London during a visit in October. | Retired Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar, who led Operation Blue Star, was attacked in London during a visit in October. |
Several people are awaiting trial accused of causing him grievous bodily harm. | Several people are awaiting trial accused of causing him grievous bodily harm. |
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. |