VC winner denied access to UK

[Gunnerrock]

Found this on Arrse and PPrune.

It truly disgusts me sometimes to be British.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=457426&in_page_id=1811

Both Arrse and PPrune are e-mailing officials for support, I think we should do the same.

[Bill Bones]

So people that would curse our country and try and murder our people are welcomed in with open arms, yet men that have pauid the blood price and endured hell (that's what the war in the pacific theattre was after all) don't hav a chance of enjoying the freedoms and conditions that THEY fought to hhold sacred.

Fnucking disgusting.

[Albert Park]

Both Arrse and PPrune are e-mailing officials for support, I think we should do the same.

Jon Gaunt's show on TalkSport spent time on this subject today, with Gaunty identifying a link to Petition No 10 (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/gurkhas-rights/). There were 300 signatures at midday - currently there are 2000. This is gathering momentum.

A few interesting points came up, including one saying that although Tul Bahadur Pun fought against the Japanese, in the Malaysian campaign, he was actually part of the INDIAN Army. This is the sticking point, which, in my opinion, needs addressing to allow dispensation for relocation to the UK.

This man is a hero and needs to be given all the respect that he deserves.

[MAINJAFAD]

Jon Gaunt's show on TalkSport spent time on this subject today, with Gaunty identifying a link to Petition No 10 (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/gurkhas-rights/). There were 300 signatures at midday - currently there are 2000. This is gathering momentum.

A few interesting points came up, including one saying that although Tul Bahadur Pun fought against the Japanese, in the Malaysian campaign, he was actually part of the INDIAN Army. This is the sticking point, which, in my opinion, needs addressing to allow dispensation for relocation to the UK.

This man is a hero and needs to be given all the respect that he deserves.

He was a member of the British 'Indian' Army and therefore had made an oath to the Crown and put his life on the line for Crown. if that's not British enough to allow access in to the UK, I don't know what is.

[Boarderlyne]

Found this on Arrse and PPrune.

It truly disgusts me sometimes to be British.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=457426&in_page_id=1811

Both Arrse and PPrune are e-mailing officials for support, I think we should do the same.

Have added my name to the petition. It is a fuc&ing disgusting treatment of a true hero. Tul Bahadur Pun, IMO, has more right to live in this country than the current resident of No 10 Downing Street or any of his sycophantic bitches! ::/:

[mad_mo]

I think all Gurkha's should be given British Subject status after completing their service...

[Studley dangerfcuk]

Just signed as well. The imigration rule are like the rest of the UK, PC gone truly fecking mad.

Studley :PDT_Xtremez_32:

[loopallu]

Just signed, over 2500 names now. Email your MP as well the more noise about this the better.

[Seymour Tw@tt]

How the brilliant Gurkhas are not paid and pensioned the same as the rest of the British Army is f*cking way beyond me. After working with some of our alleged "finest", I wouldn't give some of our idiots in green a f*cking job flipping burgers in maccy D's...

::/:

[Plumber]

Signed satis.

[r0jaws]

Duly signed. I thought we were supposed to respect these Nepalese fighters so much we asked them to join US?
It would seem that it is better to be Britain's enemy than her friend.

[Parky]

Just signed, it is upto over 3100 now

[Scaley brat]

It's a fcuking disgrace, my two penneth added ! ::/:

[Comms_Lad]

Its been said before it will be said again, this is feckin disgraceful.
Signed its up to 3576 now have emailed the link out to everyone I know aswell

[spike7451]

British officials in Nepal told the wizened old warrior who put his life on the line for King and country: "You have failed to demonstrate that you have strong ties with the UK.

www.dailymail.co.uk/pa...ge_id=1811

When this shambolic goverment lets in thousands of immigrants who sponge of us & the state & they wont let this old chap who fought for us in,I am angry!

Guys,
Please take a minute to support this chaps cause.


www.vchero.co.uk/

And sign the petition,

petitions.pm.gov.uk/gurkhas-rights/


Thanks,
spike

Here is a letter drafted by another campaigner,feel free to use it if you E-Mail your MP as we are doing;

VC Ghurka hero refused entry to UK

I wish to bring to your attention the case of No. 10119 Rifleman Tullbahadur Pun VC who has been refused entry to the UK, I and many other serving and ex-service personnel
are appalled at the treatment meted out to him, and would be grateful if you would publicise his case.



The Immigration Rules provide that Gurkhas who retired before 1st July 1997 (the date their base in Hong Kong was transferred back to the UK) have no automatic right of residence in the UK. They have therefore to plead with the British Embassy to exercise discretion based on a criteria set out in the Diplomatic Service Procedures. This is the test of having “close ties” with the United Kingdom. Mr Pun VC, is alleged not to have “close ties” to the United Kingdom.

The British embassy that made the decision to refuse our VC hero a right to live in the UK as the Immigration Rules provide that Gurkhas who retired before 1st July 1997 (the date their base in Hong Kong was transferred back to the UK) have no automatic right of residence in the UK. They have therefore to plead with the British Embassy to exercise discretion based on a criteria set out in the Diplomatic Service Procedures. This is the test of having “close ties” with the United Kingdom. Mr Pun VC, is alleged not to have “close ties” to the United Kingdom.


His VC citation reads:
“No. 10119 Rifleman Tullbahadur Pun, 6th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army.

In Burma on June 23rd, 1944, a Battalion of the 6th Gurkha Rifles was ordered to attack the Railway Bridge at Mogaung. Immediately the attack developed the enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at close range from a position known as the Red House and from a strong bunker position two hundred yards to the left of it.

So intense was this cross fire that both the leading platoons of ‘B’ Company, one of which was Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun’s, were pinned to the ground and the whole of his Section was wiped out with the exception of himself, the Section commander and one other man. The Section commander immediately led the remaining two men in a charge on the Red House but was at once badly wounded. Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun and his remaining companion continued the charge, but the latter too was immediately wounded.

Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun then seized the Bren Gun, and firing from the hip as he went, continued the charge on this heavily bunkered position alone, in the face of the most shattering concentration of automatic fire, directed straight at him. With the dawn coming up behind him, he presented a perfect target to the Japanese. He had to move for thirty yards over open ground, ankle deep in mud, through shell holes and over fallen trees.

Despite these overwhelming odds, he reached the Red House and closed with the Japanese occupations. He killed three and put five more to flight and captured two light machine guns and much ammunition. He then gave accurate supporting fire from the bunker to the remainder of his platoon which enabled them to reach their objective.

His outstanding courage and superb gallantry in the face of odds which meant almost certain death were most inspiring to all ranks and beyond praise.”

Sincerely

[Tashy_Man]

Already been talked about on this thread.......http://www.e-goat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6446&highlight=indian

Crack on............:PDT_Xtremez_09:

[spike7451]

I posted a linky in the E-Petitions before being informed about this thread (Too much Whisky last night!)
Sorry...:PDT_Xtremez_35:

http://www.e-goat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6470

Spike

[wgaf]

Just signed.
In the early nineties I was fortunate enough to be selected to go on an exped to the Himalayas with a combined group of army, navy and air force climbers, we stopped of at the Gurkha recruitment camp in Pokhara for accomodation. Whilst there we had the privilege of meeting Bahadur Pun. A more unassuming and polite man you could not meet. The Gurkhas held him in an awe that he so obviously deserved. We were told who he was and what he'd done but the man himself never mentioned it once, he was more interested in what we were doing in Nepal and any stories we had on the modern British forces. A truly humbling experience.
It really started my interest in the VC winners and probably explains why have so many books on the subject.

[Bluntend]

Signed.


Bluntend.

[chiefy]

Question: Was Mr Pun VC interviewed so there would be an accurate understanding of his application, or was it a straight refusal?

HoweandCoSolicitors wrote:

They didn't even give him an interview. We gave them a booklet about his herosim and full detials of his VC. They even had his army service book, which his CO described him on discharge as having an "exemplary" record and that "his gallantry speaks for itself". Can I be honest, I suspect they didn't even read his application and supporting statement properly. They got a full list of his illnesses. It just sticks of a rubber-stamping job. I don't personally blame any individual, as the Government has to take the can on this one.

We intend making direct representations to Liam Byrne, the Immigration Minister, so that it hits his office first thing Tuesday. HRH Prince of Wales (President of the VC & GC Assoc) received a couried letter on this on Friday.

Listen there are many Services forums out there. I've been trying to follow them all, but it's difficult to catch everything. I just tried to join RAOConLine, but it takes time for your sign-up to be approved. So if you are members of other forums, can you please tell them my firm and my client really appreciates what is being done and what is being said in support of him. It restores my faith in this country. Maybe you can post these thanks on other forums and also tell them to tell their friends about this snub to the Gurkhas and about www.vchero.co.uk [/url]. I would be grateful if you could thank the RAF and Royal Navy, as well as all the Army forums for the help to my client. Honestly, your emails will shake the Immigration Judge and the Government.
Thanks.

Kieran O'Rourke

[Gunnerrock]

The Sunday Times sums it up.

A rape conviction is better than a VC if you want to stay in Britain.

Here’s a quiz. Not a very good quiz because you will know the answer before you’ve finished reading the question. Whether you can comprehend it is another matter. An awful lot of immigrants are allowed into Britain these days and very few deported because they are undesirable. However, as a nation we must draw the line somewhere. So, using your understanding of How Britain Is, estimate which of the following four aspirant British citizens has been told to get out and stay out. And which three can stay?

1) Mouloud Sihali, Algerian. Lived at Finsbury Park mosque, breeding ground of Islamic terrorism. Described in court as “unprincipled and dishonest”. Illegal immigrant.

2) Yonis Dirie, Somalian. Drug addict, armed robber and burglar. Convicted of raping a young woman in London. Illegal immigrant.

3) Tul Bahadur Pun VC, Nepalese. Won the Victoria Cross for taking out a Japanese machinegun post in 1944 in Burma single-handedly. Now 84, of unblemished conduct, suffering from heart problems and diabetes and would like treatment here. Legal applicant.

4) “AS”, Libyan. Islamic extremist involved with Milan terrorist group. Court accepts that he is likely to try to kill us all again quite soon. Illegal immigrant.

You got it, didn’t you? Old Pun’s application was rejected because - and here’s another punchline, in case the first wasn’t funny enough - he “failed to demonstrate” that he had “strong ties with Britain”. How much stronger do you want? There can be hardly a soul who wouldn’t be happy to have Pun here. And not one who could make a case for allowing Dirie, the robber-rapist, say, to get preferential treatment. Some of us would have happily dispatched him back to Mogadishu strapped to a missile.

There is no great objection to immigration in this country; the objection is to how it is done and who benefits, exemplified by the cases I quote above.

I suspect the public feels there are people who should be allowed in - people to whom we owe a profound debt of gratitude (like Pun), or those whose countries we have let down in one way or another (such as the Hong Kong Chinese or the black Zimbabweans). And yet it seems we do precisely the opposite.

Libyan and Algerian extremists who feel the regimes in their home countries are not sufficiently rigorous are allowed to stay because we worry they might be bumped off at home - regardless of what threat they pose to us.

I would vote for any party that pledged to extricate us from the international legislation that insists on such absurdities.

By then, however, it will most likely be too late for Tul Bahadur Pun VC. The Japs couldn’t kill him - but we’re not making a bad job of it.

Come on people send out a few e-mails to your MP's or HM the Q and sign the petition

[The Sleepy Priest]

Just signed it. Now over 5500 on it. These fcuking home office rules really are a disgrace. If you're a hate spreading terrorist then you're welcome to claim asylum, but if you're a hard working loyal soldier then forget it!!! Makes my blood boil!

[monobrow]

Well put by the times article. Petition signed.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/gurkhas-rights/

[bigbadrigger]

7689 sigs on there now.:PDT_Xtremez_30:

[Sisterpain]

Signed.
Hope it helps.

[loopallu]

Dear All

Mine firm is acting for Mr Tul Bahadur Pun VC (Gurkha Rifles).

We are pulling out all the stops to correct the outrage directed toward this 84 year-old man. However, we could not do this without you all. I am personally trying to read several forums at once, but it is impossible to post on them all. I have asked my friends at ARRSERs (The Army Rumour Service), who are already signed up on your forums, to kindly post this and to thank you for all for what you are doing for my client.

The British public are personally, individually, and collectively, repaying the debt this man (one of the "Bravest of the Brave") is owed by our country.

This is coming from the bottom up. You, the public are leading the politicians and civil servants, and you are the ones righting the wrong which is being done in our name.

My client is fully aware of all the support you have given him. I soon hope you will soon see a photo from him, which he wanted us to send back to the UK, to say that he knows you, the British public, are on his side (even though he is very ill, he got out of bed to make sure that you good people knew that he felt you all "had his back").

Please support our campaign. Petition and email us at: www.vchero.co.uk . All email will go in front of the Immigration Judge considering this case. However, you must bombard your MP and the Government (particularly the Asylum & Immigration Minister, Liam Byrne) about the continuing snub to the Gurkhas who have fought and spilt blood for our country. Rejecting a VC is, sadly, only the icing on their very ugly cake!

Many, many thanks.

Kind regards


Kieran O'Rourke

[Gunnerrock]

Sometimes we can make a difference.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6713039.stm

[monobrow]

Good to see someone has finally seen sense, but will they allow the other gurkhas to stay like the petition asks?

Only time will tell I guess

[Weebl]

Sometimes we can make a difference.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6713039.stm

Whoohoo :PDT_Xtremez_28:

Next, find the weaselly faced bureaucrat who decided that somebody who has fought for this country and won it's highest military honour 'fails to demostrate strong enough ties to Britain' and shove a Kukri up his jacksie.

[Northern Monkey]

I read today that a Gurkha's average service is 15-16 years compared to that of A.N.Other British soldier who normally does 4-5 years on average. Is that not enough to prove their tie to our island? They have represented our armed forces now for many years and its about time we started showing some respect.
I did read however that Mr Pun is to be allowed into the country which is fantastic news.
I really hope this will force a change in the rules.
:PDT_Xtremez_14:

[Maple 01]

We interupt this forum to bring you a bit of cut and paste

Guys, here we go again........

Our chums on ARRSE are having to get all shouty with this fecwit government over our Nepalese mates. This time a Falklands Vet

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/tm_method=full%26objectid=19305382%26siteid=89520-name_page.html

http://album.phototrance.co.uk/album/314683#imageID=19149486

http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/t=66783/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=2010.html

Gurkha Cpl Gyenendra Rai



A DECORATED Falklands hero who suffered horrific injuries at Bluff Cove has been banned from Britain.

Foreign Office officials fear Gurkha Cpl Gyenendra Rai, 51, will try to stay here if he is granted a visitor's visa for NHS treatment.

The ex-machine gunner is in constant pain after his back was ripped open by a shell.

He wants to come to Britain because he cannot afford the necessary medication at home in Nepal.

FFS how many more times are the FCO going to do this, and let's not get started on Nick from Shiny 6's treatment by the NHS......

So in the words of International Rescue 'Stand-by for action'

[gemarriott]

maple I am sure I speak for us all here on the goat when I say we are behind you all the way in your efforts to win his entry into the UK and stay here where he belongs.

[Cake or Death]

how in the name of god earth can he be banned!

oooo mister terroist you want to cause harm to us but even tho you will kill our people and your self when you blow your self up, yes you can live here as you will be kill if we deport you home. ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHH!

this sodding country/and government needs a bloody good shoeing and a ponding as well. lets start a petition for that to pond and shoe everyone in this country.

Rant over

on a good note glad to see Mr Pun VC and god knows how many more medals has been allowed in. But exceptional case my arse, he should of been flown in first class and every mp and buracrate who has no right to steal his oxygen, should of been made to lick his shoes clean, no questions asked. Mr Pun VC i salute you.

[Maple 01]

For those who feel a note dropped to their MP or to the House of Lords might help feel free to rip-off this, after all, I stole it from it off DozyBint on ARRSE

And here's a link to find your MP

http://www.writetothem.com/



Dear *******,

Re: Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai (Rtd).

You may remember the recent disgraceful case win which a Gurkha VC winner was denied access to the United Kingdom for medical treatment because in the words of the FCO ‘he failed to demonstrate that he had strong ties to the UK’. Eventually, after a lot of pressure the government begrudgingly reversed this decision.

Yesterday another case came to my attention, that of Lance Corporal Gyanendra Rai (Rtd). Despite 14 years' service in the armed forces, FCO officials have told Mr Rai that he too has insufficient links to the UK to get a visa, preventing him joining events to mark the 25th anniversary of victory in the Falklands. More than this however, he was seriously injured during the fighting and would greatly benefit from being able to access the NHS.

I really cannot understand what stronger tie there could be to a country than to be prepared to give your all in its service, though I concede that Ministers who have never undertaken military service may find this concept difficult to comprehend.

I hope you will feel, as I do, that the United Kingdom owes a debt of gratitude to our Gurkhas, and that the grant of a visa would go some way to repaying his loyalty and valour. I would be grateful if you could ask the Home Secretary to ensure that the decision taken in Mr Gyanendra Rai’s case is reviewed most urgently.

Yours sincerely,




You might also want to write to her Maj (thanks Chugalug2), be nice, she's still the boss

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page3776.asp

[eccles]

I may be missing something here, but where are the Gurkha support threads? The Arrse, Pprune and Rumration are all over this. Pun VC is on his way but Ex Cpl Rai is still in need of medical attention for his Falklands wounds. Check out www.VCHero.co.uk to see the latest news. I have always admired the Gurkhas and enjoyed their company(and their rum and their curries)in Belize and believe any ex-Gurkha has the right to UK citizenship.
My apologies if this is already on here somewhere but as a service(and ex-service)forum, we should be giving our politicians sh1t over this.
Regards, Jon.

[eccles]

Sory Mods, I thought this was a current affair and that's where I looked. Faith in the mob duly restored.
Regards, jon.