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Theresa May voices regret over 1919 Amritsar massacre

BRITISH prime minister Theresa May today (10) expressed regret for a massacre by British troops in India in 1919 but stopped short of a full apology.

"We deeply regret what happened and the suffering caused," May told the British parliament, as India prepares to mark the 100th anniversary of the killings.


Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, called for "a full, clear, and unequivocal apology".

The April 13, 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre, in which British troops opened fire on thousands of unarmed protesters, remains an enduring scar from British colonial rule in India.

Colonial-era records show about 400 people died in the northern city of Amritsar when soldiers opened fire on men, women and children in an enclosed area, but Indian figures put the toll at closer to 1,000.

Former British prime minister David Cameron described it as "deeply shameful" during a visit in 2013 but also stopped short of an apology.

A ceremony was due to take place at the site of the massacre on Saturday (13).

(AFP)

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Britain maintains neutral stance on Kashmir, minister tells MPs

THE British government has reaffirmed its long-standing position on Kashmir, saying it is for India and Pakistan to resolve the issue, taking into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The statement was made during a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament this week.

Hamish Falconer, a minister at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), set out the government’s position during the debate titled ‘Kashmir: Self-determination’, which was secured by Labour MP Imran Hussain.

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