Kanpur: The mortal remains of Kanpur-based Merchant Navy chief officer Sagar Gupta, who was recently killed in the Black Sea during the Russia-Ukraine war after reportedly saving eight crew members, are expected to reach his hometown on Wednesday. The family, which has been waiting for nearly two weeks, has demanded that he be accorded martyr status, along with a government job for one family member and adequate financial compensation.According to family members, Sagar (30) was killed in the attack on July 18. During the attack, he first saved the lives of eight crew members. Thereafter, while trying to take the ship to a safer location, he fell victim to a second attack.The Shastri Nagar family said they had been waiting for his body for nearly two weeks. The mortal remains have reached Moscow, and preparations are being made for the last rites after the body reaches Kanpur. The family said they were informed that the first attack on the ship took place on July 18, with 10 people on board. Sagar moved eight crew members to a safer part and then tried to take the ship to a safe location.During this, a second attack took place, and he died after coming under its impact. The family was informed about the attack on July 21 by a person working with Sagar. They later received information about the incident from the DG Shipping office as well.The family said he fulfilled his responsibility till his last moment by trying to save the lives of his companions.According to family members, Sagar last spoke to his wife, Shalu, on July 17. After the attack the following day, they lost contact with him. The family received information about his death on July 21 and has been waiting ever since for his mortal remains to arrive in India.“We got married in Dec 2020. I have two children, including my five-year-old daughter Gauri, who studies in LKG, and my seven-month-old son Krishna. We should be provided some govt assistance so that our household can run,” Sagar’s wife said.After information about the incident was received, MP Ramesh Awasthi, MLA Surendra Maithani, MLA Amitabh Bajpai, DM Jitendra Pratap Singh, JCP Vipin Tada and SDM Sadar Anubhav Singh, along with several public representatives and officials, visited the family’s residence in Shastri Nagar. They consoled the family and assured them of every possible assistance.
