All India Catholic University Federation (AICUF), a movement of university students, on Friday organised a rally in support of the Sumanahalli Society's demand for renewal of the lease of land on which the society runs a rehabilitation centre for leprosy patients.
Nearly 1,000 students from AICUF walked from St. Joseph's European School on Museum Road up to St. Joseph's Indian School to highlight the land lease issue of the Sumanahalli society.
The participants, who later organised a signature campaign, will submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and Chief Secretary S.V. Ranganath on Saturday.
Members of the society have been striving to get the 63 acres of land, allotted in 1977, renewed for another 30 years.
The lease expired in 2008 and the State Government wanted the land back. However, following several representations and pleas by SSF members, the Government said it would re-allot five acres.
Director of the Society Fr. George Kannanthanam said nothing positive has happened yet. “We have apprised the Chief Minister about the society's functioning and how the land is being used exclusively for the benefit of leprosy patients and physically handicapped, destitute persons.”
