A WEYMOUTH Gurkha has told of his elation at a major victory that could help Nepalese soldiers remain in the country.

MPs backed a Liberal Democrat motion to give Gurkhas who have served in the British armed forces equal rights of residence Though not a binding decision, it puts significant pressure on Gordon Brown to rethink plans to tighten up residency rules for Gurkhas who retired before 1997.

For Dhan Bahadur Gurung, owner of the Gurkha Restaurant on Radipole Lake, Weymouth, the result represents justice for the thousands of his countrymen who have sacrificed their lives for the British cause.

“It is great news,” he said. “The Gurkhas have done so much for the British government for more than 200 years.

“Everyone has been waiting for this decision and people will be so happy.”

The Nepalese soldiers, known for their bravery and strength, have been pursuing their right to settle in the UK over a number of years.

Under the Government’s plans, applicants would be judged on criteria such as length of service and medals, but this would allow just 100 veterans out of 36,000 to settle, argued campaigners.

Dhan said the Gurkhas had been overwhelmed by the ‘100 per cent’ support of the British people in fighting their cause.

Lib Dem Parliamentary candidates for West and South Dorset Sue Farrant and Rose Kayes have backed the Gurkha fight.

They said that the Government’s approach had been ‘shameful and irrational’.

Dhan served as a Gurkha in the Army for 21 years. He joined the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers in 1979 where he rose to Squadron Sergeant Major.

The 48-year-old completed tours in Kosovo and Bosnia in 1996, and in the Falkland Islands in 1982, 1986 and 1997.

After his retirement, Dhan was initially forced to reside in the USA, where he opened the Tasty Curry restaurant, close to the Empire State Building.

But he was keen to move back to Britain where his two children had been born and grew up.

In 2004 he moved to Weymouth which held fond memories from his time in the Gurkhas.

“I used to come to the Chickerell barracks for training every year and really liked the area,” said Dhan.