Gurkhas stage demonstration at UK Embassy in Nepal

Kosh Raj Koirala – Asian Tribune Correspondent in Nepal

Kathmandu, 30 April, (Asiantribune.com): The Gurkha army ex-servicemen staged a protest demonstration outside the British Embassy in Kathmandu on Wednesday against a recent decision of the British government.

They claimed that the new policy announced by the British government on April 24 would allow only a small number of Gurkhas to settle in the United Kingdom and almost all of these would be ex-officers.

Effecting the change in its policy on Friday, the UK government said it would allow about 30,000 more Gurkha soldiers who retired before 1997 can settle automatically if certain conditions are met. Those could include having served 20 years, receiving a military award or having incurred an injury while serving. Special consideration will also be given for those who have family living in Britain.

However, Gurkhas claimed that the new policy was still too limited and imposed too many conditions on those seeking the right to settle in the UK.

"We want the April 24 decision to be nullified," said Krishna Kumar Rai, the acting-president of Gurkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organization (GAESO). "The new policy must be in line with the September 30, 2008 decision of the British High Court."

The GAESO condemned the British government’s new policies labeling it “a false policy” that will only allow settlement for a few ex-officers.

Among others, the new criterion set by the British government for settlement requires a Gurkha to show that he has served for over 20 years in the British Army. But almost all Gurkha soldiers were permitted only 15 years service in the British Army.

Following a historic judgment on September 30 last year, the High Court in the UK struck down the British government’s policy on Gurkha veterans terming it illegal. The government was ordered by the court to bring in force a new policy concerning settlement rights of the Gurkhas and their families. But the new policy announced on April 24 set categories for settlement permit.

- Asian Tribune -