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UK Sikhs to protest outside Downing Street to demand independent Public inquiry into Amritsar Massacre

February 20, 2014 | By

London, United Kingdom (February 20, 2014): As per information available with the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) a peaceful protest outside 10 Downing Street later today (12 non-2pm) is expected to attract hundreds of Sikhs.

Sikhs are demanding an independent public inquiry over Britain’s involvement in the June 1984 Amritsar massacre.

Demands have been increasing for an independent public inquiry following Sikh pressure that the internal review by the Cabinet Secretary ordered by the Prime Minister last month was too narrow.

Protest by UK SikhsThe Labour Leader, Ed Miliband has said he believes there are grounds for a full inquiry.

In a letter reportedly obtained by the Sikh Federation (UK) the Labour Leader states:

‘While we welcome what light the Cabinet Secretary’s report shed on the allegations of British involvement in ‘Operation Blue Star’, despite the publication of this report, serious questions remain.’

‘I know this is a matter of deep concern. The pain and suffering still felt by many about the tragic events of 1984 places a particular duty on the Government to provide what answers it can to address these very genuine concerns.’

‘The Government must accept our call to make public all relevant documentation relating to the incident that can be, so that we can have transparency on this important issue.’

The Labour Leader continues to state he believes there are ‘grounds for a full inquiry covering a longer period, given the concerns that the investigation seemed to be covering only the first part of 1984.’

Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) said:

‘Despite promises of a dialogue with the Sikh community the Prime Minister has remained silent. We wrote to him on 2 February to complain about the terms of the review, but we have received no response.’

‘We then wrote to him again on 12 February pointing out some of the specific deficiencies of the internal review published a week earlier and again we have had no response.’

‘We have therefore been forced to appeal for political support from across the political spectrum for our campaign for an independent public inquiry. We have already had support of around 50 politicians from nine different political parties and expect this number to rise significantly. The Labour Leader has also said there are grounds for a full inquiry covering a longer period that will see many more politicians back us.‘

Kerry McCarthy MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Minister has today written to the Foreign Secretary asking why the Government has failed to respond to Labour’s demand and that any involvement by the then British Government is thoroughly investigated. In a press release she states:

‘Tomorrow’s planned demonstration in Westminster shows that even after the publication of the Cabinet Secretary’s report, many people feel that there are still unanswered questions about the UK Government’s involvement in the events surrounding Operation Blue Star.’

‘That is why it is vital that ministers should now commit to publishing all relevant documents, and clarify if they are willing to consider a fuller inquiry covering a longer period.’

‘Many in the Sikh community here in the UK have already expressed regret that the investigation seemed to cover only the first part of 1984, given the significance of events in the weeks and months after June 1984 and their link to the storming of the Golden Temple.’


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