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AID Partner Dr. Binayak Sen arrested |
AID Partner, Dr. Binayak Sen, a pediatrician of repute, renowned human rights activist and General Secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) was arrested on May 14, 2007 in Raipur on false charges.
Those familiar with the situation in Chhattisgarh saw it coming. But for many others it was a shock. Dr. Binayak Sen, a pediatrician of repute, renowned human rights activist and General Secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) was arrested on May 14, 2007 in Raipur. The charges leveled against him were those of "aiding and abetting Naxal activity in the State" and he was detained under the draconian Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act 2006 and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 2004.
His arrest has been met with widespread outrage, nationwide protests and calls for his release. In an unprecedented move, his alma mater, the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore demanded his unconditional release. The work of Dr. Sen includes setting up of the famous Shaheed Hospital for mine workers near Bhilai and sustainable health care work with tribal communities in far flung areas of Chhattisgarh. He has been instrumental in highlighting human rights violations in southern Chhattisgarh, where the government has provided training and arms to civilians under the banner of Salwa Judum to supposedly fight the Naxal menace. The policy of arming a civilian militia has escalated the level of violence and a civil war like situation has emerged with innocent citizens caught between the Naxalites and the Salwa Judum. Forced displacement and false encounters are commonplace and have led to the creation of a society torn by the fear of violence. These parts of Chhattisgarh are also the most mineral rich parts of the country and it is believed that several corporate houses are in talks with the government to acquire these lands.
Thanks to the tireless work of people like Dr. Sen, these issues are out in the open. Fact-finding teams from Delhi have since visited the region as have journalists and have unanimously agreed with the findings of Dr. Sen and colleagues. AID has condemned the arrest and has been in close contact with our long term partner, Jan Swashthya Sahyog (JSS), a community health group in Bilaspur, with whom Dr. Sen has been affiliated. We have also mobilized a petition, which has over 996 signatures so far. Dr. Sen continues to be in prison as of this writing.
(http://petitions.aidindia.org/Binayak/supporters.php)
-Srinadh Madhavapeddi, AID Dallas
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