Kathmandu, June 22 :

The United British Gurk-has Ex-Servicemen Association Nepal today warned of carrying out protest programmes against what they call ‘double standards’ of the British government.

Gyanraj Rai, secretary of UBGSEAN, said many ex-Gurkhas who retired prior to 1997 and who managed to enter the UK have been given both permission for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE) by the UK Home Office.

“There is no reason for the British Embassy in Kathmandu not to issue ILEs for ex-Gurkhas who served the British Army at the time but are living in Kathmandu,” he said.

Rai said a group of 26 delegates of UBGSEAN, including a widow, were issued ILRs during their recent trip to the UK to stage protest against discriminatory treatment towards the Gurkhas at Downing Street.