The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), which was protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, decided to call off the strike on Tuesday. The decision came after the FORDA members met with Union Health Minister JP Nadda today.

The 31-year-old trainee doctor was found murdered at the seminal hall of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last week. The autopsy later revealed that she was raped. The case sparked protests across the city and members of the medical fraternities also announced a strike.

FORDA was leading nationwide protests, leading to closures of multiple operation theatres and ward duties; the emergency services, however, remained active.

The protest was called off today after a meeting with JP Nadda.

FORDA President Aviral Mathur said,”We just met Union Minister JP Nadda at his residence and presented our reformulated demands and before him… He assured us that he would provide a safe working environment for doctors. He has assured us that our demands would be addressed in a time-bound manner.”

Mathur also noted that there was going to be a committee formed with doctors involved in the process.

Why the protests?

Kolkata has been dealing with massive protests and unrest in light of the murder of a trainee doctor, who was strangled and raped in the premises of the Kolkata hospital. An arrest was made on Saturday in connection with the case. The post-mortem report revealed that she was throttled to death. Her thyroid cartilage was broken due to strangling and injuries were found on her belly, lips, fingers, and left leg.

The report also mentioned that the woman was bleeding from both eyes, mouth and private parts. The report said the wounds in her private parts were caused by “perverted sexuality” and “genital torture”.

On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court ordered the police to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), demanding swifter action.