Dr. Sanjay Upreti who fell victim of a knife attack at STNM Sochaygang while trying to save his female attendant Kala Chettri passed away as he succumbed to multi organ failure this morning around 3am.
Earlier his leg had been amputated as he had been airlifted by defence helicopter to Neotia Hospital Siliguri for specialist care. Despite best attempts by specialists he could not recover from the injuries, his remains shall be brought back to Sikkim today.
He served the people of Sikkim as a Cardiologist and Medical Specialist for the last 16 years and his sacrifice for saving his attendant from such a fatal attack was a display of true heroism.
Late Dr Upreti did his MBBS from King George’s Medical University, Lucknow; MD (Medicine) from Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal and Fellowship in Invasive Cardiology from Medanta The Medicity, Delhi NCR.
He established Interventional Cardiology at New STNM Hospital in 2019 and was working as Consultant Cardiologist at Department of Cardiology.
Governor of Sikkim, Ganga Prasad on demise of Dr Upriti said, “Deeply anguished by the sudden demise of Dr. Sanjay Upreti, who was undergoing treatment at Neotia Hospital, Siliguri.”
“In his professional career, Dr. Sanjay served everyone. His death is a big loss to the medical fraternity of Sikkim. He will be remembered for his contribution to Sikkimese people. My sincere condolences to the bereaved family, friends of Dr. Upreti who will be deeply missed by all. And pray for the departed soul. Om Shanti!” He added
Likewise, Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang showed his deepest condolences, he stated , “I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Dr. Sanjay Upreti, who was undergoing treatment at Neotia Hospital, Siliguri. Sikkim has lost a remarkable human being and a brilliant doctor, and in this hour of grief, I extend my sincere condolences to the bereaved family, friends and pray for the departed soul”
Bhaichung Bhutia, Working President, Hamro Sikkim Party stated that , “We are stunned, and deeply shocked by the demise of the young Dr. Sanjay Upreti, a cardiologist of repute who had a major role to play in the establishment of the cardiology department in the new STNM multi-speciality Hospital.”
“Assaulted by an alleged person who was deeply into drug addiction. his death is a reminder that the state has to tackle and fight the drug abuse collectively. It is unthinkable that he had to breathe his last on such a petty matter, and would implore the Government to prevent such incidents at any costs.” he added
Former Chief Minister and the President of the SDF party Pawan Chamling also expressed his deepest grief, shock and condolences on the tragic demise of Dr Sanjay Upreti.
Furthermore, Chamling termed him to be Pavitra Veer and Pavitra Krantikari who saved a staff member’s life by taking the stabbing himself. “I am deeply pained and disturbed by the tragic news of Dr. Sanjay Upreti succumbing to his injuries this morning at 3 am. He had sustained those fatal injuries while saving a staff member from a man who was stabbing her. He bravely faced the stabber and received deadly injuries himself. Sikkim has lost one of the finest cardiologists, an ideal doctor and one of its bravest sons. For his loved ones, they have lost a gem. I have no words to express my personal shock and grief and words also fail me to express my condolences and sympathies. My prayer is that the Almighty God will give them sufficient strength to bear this irreparable loss and indescribable tragedy”
Chamling further appealed the Sikkim Government to constitute a bravery award, name cardiology department of the STNM hospital after him and name the hospital and health centre closest to his native place after him in honour and memory of his heroic act.
“Sikkim and humanity at large will never forget the courage he displayed and the sacrifice he made to save the life of a helpless woman under attack. We haven’t seen such an example in recent memory. His valiant act shows how much he valued human life. He was a cardiologist by profession who treated people’s hearts and physical sickness. Tragically, he became a victim of one who was sick in his mind, thought and intellect. Sadly, Sikkim is witnessing the spread of this sickness. His tragic death must awaken Sikkim to take a stand against such murderous elements” added the statement
“As we mourn this tragic death of a proud son of Sikkim, I reiterate my appeal to the government to constitute a bravery award in honour of his exemplary heroic action.The Sikkim government, in memory of this heroic cardiologist, can name the Cardiology Department of the STNM Hospital after him. In addition, the state government could name a government hospital or a health centre that is closest to his native place after him in his memory” said Krishna Kharel, Vice President SDF.
In addition MK Subba, Spokesperson SDF viewed the STNM knife Incedent to be abstract failure of the law and order in which he stated that, “This is an abstract failure of law and order. There is no fear of the law, that’s the kind of atmosphere currently in our State for eg: the incident that recently took place in Mg Marg , several unclaimed dead bodies all over and there are many other series of events of organised crime taking place. The crime that took place in STNM may be one of the rarest crimes till date. This kind of event is not something that happens regularly and the Government shall look into this lapse and be answerable to the public”
Medicals professional also offered their condolences to Late Dr Upriti, Indian Medical Association Sikkim State branch sated, “The Indian Medical Association would like to offer condolences and place on record the timely treatment and support offered to him by the Government of Sikkim and would like to beg to award exemplary punishment to the culprit at the earliest. Dr Sanjay, who lost his life on duty, it would be apt if the government honours him with a Bravery Award and offers support to his family for the unforeseeable future. The loss has been to the entire Medical Fraternity and public of Sikkim in general”
“The association also offers gratitude to all the State branches of IMA who have offered support and have stood by us during these dark days” added the statement
Apart from political outfits of Sikkim many from the nebiouring hill states also extended thier condolences over the demise.
Ajoy Edwards, President Hamro party on demise said, ” On this Christmas Eve, my thoughts go out to Dr. Sanjay Upreti from Sikkim. I did not have the opportunity to know him, but who in his lifetime saved so many patients and in the end, died trying to save a colleague from an attacker.”
“It was not his fight, he could have chosen to run and hide, like most of us would, but he chose to do the right thing. May we learn from his bravery and sacrifice that a “Life lived for others is the only life worth living” Praying for his family and friends and mourning his loss along with the entire people of Sikkim and Darjeeling. Rest in peace good Doctor.” Edwards added
Dr Sanjay Upreti is lived by one wife and son. As per sources, the funeral is scheduled to be held at Mamring, Namchi district on December 25
