``We have no choice,'' said DAMA president Dr Virendra Ghogare. He was emphatic that the DAMA would join duties irrespective of the decision taken by MARD, though they were hopeful that a solution to end the strike would emerge earlier.

Even as fresh notices spelling out the disciplinary action were served to the resident doctors, four doctors had already resumed duties at the Sassoon Hospital on Thursday, said medical superintendent Dr B A Kadam.

But MARD continued to maintain that not a single member had joined duties, and alleged that the state was ``attempting to divide the doctors on the basis of caste.''

``We believe in the DAMA doctors and have faith that they will not be carried away by casteism,'' said a MARD spokesperson.

The possible actions, outlined in the notice, state denial of term grant, postponement of final year postgraduate examinations, evacuation from the hostels and rustication as the consequences of refusing to resume duties by Saturday. Continuing to maintain a brave front, MARD spokespersons called them ``gimmicks of victimisation.'' Emergency arrangements to conduct the post-graduate examinations on December 22 are being discussed, said Dr Kadam. MARD has declared that the strike would not be called off if the exam-going students were prevented from appearing for their examinations.

The striking doctors conducted a silent march from the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Mandir to the Vijaya theatre today.