Kathmandu, October 1:

The Nepal Ex-Servicemen’s Association (NESA) has expressed happiness at the historic victory of Gurkhas in getting automatic right to resettle in Britain and that the Gurkhas should now fight for equal pensions on par with their British colleagues.

Issuing a press statement here today, NESA said that the fight for justice had begun in 2003 when it submitted a letter to General Sir Sam Cowan, colonel commandment, Brigade of Gorkhas in Kathmandu, demanding visas for Gurkhas to visit UK and education visas for the higher education of their children.

According to the press statement, following NESA’s appeal, the British government announced

plans to amend UK’s immigration policy so that Gurkhas could be allowed to return to the

United Kingdom after their service in the army.

A press release issued by the British Embassy in Kathmandu on September 27, 2004, stated that the British government would bring immigration rules for the Gurkhas in line with broader immigration policy on comparable cases, according to Major Dipak Bahadur Gurung, chairman of NESA.

Gurung said they were happy that the fight for justice initiated by NESA five years ago bore fruits after the Gorkha Army Ex-Servicemen’s Organisation (GAESO) joined the fight in latter years.

“Now it’s time to fight jointly for equal pension.

If we work hand in hand, it will also come true one day,” the release added.