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No evidence of UK involvement in Amritsar massacre, says Cameron No evidence of UK involvement in Amritsar massacre, says Cameron
(about 2 hours later)
David Cameron has said there is no evidence of UK government involvement in the Amritsar massacre of 1984.David Cameron has said there is no evidence of UK government involvement in the Amritsar massacre of 1984.
The prime minister launched an investigation after documents appeared to show that the government of Margaret Thatcher decided to send an SAS officer to Delhi in 1984 to advise the Indian government on the expulsion of militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Hundreds died in what is often referred to as the one of the darkest episodes in Sikh history. The prime minister launched an investigation after documents appeared to show that the government of Margaret Thatcher decided to send an SAS officer to Delhi in 1984 to advise the Indian government on the expulsion of militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Hundreds died in what is often referred to as one of the darkest episodes in Sikh history.
In a statement broadcast on the Sikh Channel on Tuesday, Cameron outlined the two main findings from the inquiry, conducted by the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood.In a statement broadcast on the Sikh Channel on Tuesday, Cameron outlined the two main findings from the inquiry, conducted by the cabinet secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood.
"Around four months before the event, at the request of the Indian government, a single UK military officer provided some advice. But critically this advice was not followed, and it was a one-off," Cameron said. "There is absolutely no evidence of UK government involvement in the operation itself.""Around four months before the event, at the request of the Indian government, a single UK military officer provided some advice. But critically this advice was not followed, and it was a one-off," Cameron said. "There is absolutely no evidence of UK government involvement in the operation itself."
He said he hoped the inquiry had helped to reassure Sikhs in Britain and elsewhere. "British Sikhs have made and continue to make a vital contribution to our national life, from serving in two world wars, to running businesses and playing a massive part in our communities today. I never forget this. I'm grateful for it."He said he hoped the inquiry had helped to reassure Sikhs in Britain and elsewhere. "British Sikhs have made and continue to make a vital contribution to our national life, from serving in two world wars, to running businesses and playing a massive part in our communities today. I never forget this. I'm grateful for it."
Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation UK, said the community was dismayed and claimed the inquiry was too narrow.Bhai Amrik Singh, chair of the Sikh Federation UK, said the community was dismayed and claimed the inquiry was too narrow.
"It appears the review has looked at a narrow period and not covered the period in the latter half of 1984 and may not have addressed some of the concerns raised by UK politicians in the last three weeks, such as the threat of sanctions by India against the UK, Germany, Canada and USA towards the end of 1984 for sympathising with Sikhs in the diaspora," he wrote in a letter to Cameron "It appears the review has looked at a narrow period and not covered the period in the latter half of 1984 and may not have addressed some of the concerns raised by UK politicians in the last three weeks, such as the threat of sanctions by India against the UK, Germany, Canada and USA towards the end of 1984 for sympathising with Sikhs in the diaspora," he wrote in a letter to Cameron.
The investigation is said to have searched more than 200 official files and over 23,000 documents in total. The investigation is said to have searched more than 200 official files and more than 23,000 documents in total.