Gurkhas submit Britain settlement petitions to Brown's office

London, Sept.16 : About 40 retired Gurkhas took part in a protest demonstration outside British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's 10, Downing Street official residence on Monday to protest a government decision that does not entitle them to British settlement rights.

According to The Times, the government has also said that some Gurkhas "lack strong ties with the country".

Gyanraj Rai, 50, a former sergeant major in the Gurkha Army, who now lives in Reading, said that he was "really very unhappy" during his time as a Gurkha as he did not get rights equal to that of his British comrades.

Peter Beckinsale, 69, from Reading, who was a training NCO alongside Gurkhas in Malay, said: "We felt special alongside the Gurkhas because they are such good soldiers.

Earlier this year, the Gurkhas wrote to Queen Elizabeth to seek her support for their demand for equal rights on pensions and citizenship.

"We're not being greedy. We just want to be treated like any other British soldier," said Chhatra Rai, of the British Gurkha Welfare Society.

"We've had lots of public support," the Mirror quoted him, as saying.

The Gurkhas, who are said to be Britain's most loyal fighters, have already taken their battle to the top through mass protest before Parliament last week. A majority of them have even given back cherished war medals to highlight their cause.

ANI