Canada refuses visa to former cop,says BSF ‘violent force’

“As per open source research,the BSF is a violent paramilitary unit stationed in the areas that the government of India considers to be sensitive¿ The BSF has engaged in systematic attacks on civilians and has been responsible for systematically torturing suspected criminals… You voluntarily joined the BSF as constable in 1975 and were promoted to a Head Constable in 1993,” Verner wrote on December 8,2009. “However,a court-accepted notion of complicity is defined as personal and knowing participation¿You have admitted to being aware tha the BSF was responsible for committing crimes against humanity but gave no indication that you disassociated yourself from them and remained with the organization for 25 years until you voluntarily retired in 2000,” he wrote.

“Given the above,there are reasonable grounds to believe you are a member of the inadmissible class of persons in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.”

Pandher said: “I had moved my application for an immigration visa five years ago. I had undergone all the medical tests as prescribed in the procedure. This was in the year 2008. The Canadian High Commission had called me for a personal interview in April 2009.” Singh wants to settle down in Canada since his daughter lives there.

“This reply from the Canadian authorities has really hurt me for I have always felt proud to have served the paramilitary force,” said Pandher who retired from the BSF a decade ago. Pandher has now written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).