HC Deb 06 March 1957 vol 566 cc54-5W
68. Mr. Moss

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the killing of four Indian labourers in the Tampin district of Negri Sembilan as they were hunting wild boar; and what steps he has taken to compensate the families of the dead men.

Mr. Profumo

On 12th February the leading scout of a security forces detachment, patrolling deep jungle tracks suspected to be used by terrorists, sighted a group of figures dressed in khaki. The scout opened fire and killed four men who were later found to be Indian labourers on a boar hunt. The incident occurred in an area to which entry was prohibited without permit, as surrounding inhabitants had been repeatedly told. No entry permits had been issued and the security forces were therefore expecting to encounter only terrorists. The question of compensation will be decided after the inquest. The Government join with the Government of the Federation in expressing regret at this accident of the war against terrorism.

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