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The fight for justice goes on long after the war is over.
Almost 60 years later, the wheels of justice and fair-play begin to turn...
KATHMANDU, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Nepal's Gurkha soldiers who fought for Britain in World War Two and were taken captive by Japan will get compensation of 10,000 pounds each, the British Embassy said on Thursday.
The move follows a British court ruling last year that said Gurkhas, who are from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, were entitled to compensation just as other British prisoners of war or their widows.
The British Defence Ministry would set up an office in Kathmandu by the end of February 2004 to deal with Gurkha veterans, a British embassy statement said.
"I am delighted with this decision which I know will be welcomed by many of our ex-servicemen here in Nepal," British Ambassador Keith Bloomfield said in the statement.
Embassy officials said they did not immediately know how many Gurkhas would benefit from the decision but British newspapers reported last year that the number stood at more than 300.
Gurkhas, famed for their fighting skills, began serving Britain in 1815. There are about 3,400 Gurkhas currently in the British army and some 320 of them are recruited every year.
REUTERS
Almost 60 years later, the wheels of justice and fair-play begin to turn...
KATHMANDU, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Nepal's Gurkha soldiers who fought for Britain in World War Two and were taken captive by Japan will get compensation of 10,000 pounds each, the British Embassy said on Thursday.
The move follows a British court ruling last year that said Gurkhas, who are from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, were entitled to compensation just as other British prisoners of war or their widows.
The British Defence Ministry would set up an office in Kathmandu by the end of February 2004 to deal with Gurkha veterans, a British embassy statement said.
"I am delighted with this decision which I know will be welcomed by many of our ex-servicemen here in Nepal," British Ambassador Keith Bloomfield said in the statement.
Embassy officials said they did not immediately know how many Gurkhas would benefit from the decision but British newspapers reported last year that the number stood at more than 300.
Gurkhas, famed for their fighting skills, began serving Britain in 1815. There are about 3,400 Gurkhas currently in the British army and some 320 of them are recruited every year.
REUTERS
