Two days after a horrific attack on a cardiologist and a sanitary attendant at STNM Hospital in Sikkim’s Gangtok, the hospital staff began a silent protest at hospital premises.
What happened?
On Tuesday, December 14, Thinlay Bhutia from Tathangchen in Gangtok stabbed Cardiologist Dr. Sanjay Upreti and sanitary attendant Kalwati Chettri with a knife.
As per reports, the motive behind the attack has been deduced to be a personal attack on Chettri. She was reportedly avoiding calls from the accused and when her phone was switched off at work, the attacker walked into the hospital and stabbed her.
Dr. Sanjay Upreti who was close by tried to save her but was also attacked by the attacker. Both the victims were in critical condition and had been flown to Neotia Hospital in Siliguri for further treatment on Wednesday.
The two were under ventilation for over 10 hours after the initial treatment at STNM Hospital on Tuesday.
CM Prem Singh’s visit
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay visited the hospital and met the two before they were referred to the Siliguri hospital.
The CM has ensured more strict security at the hospital premises with assurances of “increased security personnel, metal detectors and limiting family visit of the patients.”
A section of STNM doctors, including the Indian Medical Association’s Sikkim section, have demanded a Legislative Bill to reinforce security and severe punishment for attacks on health care workers.
