The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) welcomed the release of award winning renowned doctor and human rights activist Dr Binayak Sen who was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday.

Dr Sen, who was awarded the 2008 Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights, was confined in Chhattisgarh jail for two years over his alleged links with a banned group. His detention has been declared in breach of international law by Amnesty International.

The public health specialist is noted for extending health care to poor and tribal communities, and for his strong commitment to civil liberties and human rights.

"Justice has prevailed," commented NCCI after Dr Sen walked out of Raipur central jail amid celebration by dozens of rights activists.

NCCI general secretary Bishop D.K. Sahu praised Sen as a "reputed doctor from Christian Medical College, Vellore, who avoided the lucrative career as a paediatrician and decided to work among the most impoverished people in the tribal area of Chattishgarh.”

He is a "rare model of medical professionals that can set the footprints for our younger generations in search of ideals," Bishop Sahu said.

Dr Sen whose arrest has been condemned worldwide by human rights groups including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and PUCL, after his release, said he will continue his struggle for peace and justice.

"My effort for restoration of peace will continue, I will continue to work for the people in the state," he said.

"I will continue to fight and struggle for peace, any sort of violence whether it is by the military or by the Maoists, I condemn. I will try to resolve the conflict through political engagement, military engagement is not a solution," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Monday said the trial against the human rights activist would continue.

”The trial will continue and the law will take its own course," Singh was quoted saying.
 

This page is updated on June 8, 2009