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Last survivor of Jallianwala Bagh massacre dies

— Photo: Narinder Nanu

In this file photo, Shingara Singh gets ready to meet President Abdul Kalam during the latter’s visit to Amritsar in 2003.

AMRITSAR: The last known survivor of the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar passed away here on Monday due to old age related-complications and illness, said his family members. Shingara Singh was 113 years old.

Singh was witness to the merciless killing of unarmed Indian protesters, including women and children, at the Jallianwala Bagh . They were fired upon by British forces led by Brigadier General Reginald Edward Harry Dyer.

Singh, popularly called Bapu, was in his early twenties when the incident took place on April 13, 1919. He claimed he had been shot in the hand.

Singh, who was honoured by the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, during a visit to the Bagh in March 2003, had, in recent years, rued government apathy towards him and his family.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have condoled his death. The Chief Minister described Singh as an “icon of the pre-independence movement.” —IANS

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