The strike, called to protest against the civic authorities' decision to levy two per cent octroi duty on medicines, ended after the chemists were told that the matter would be kept in abeyance for a week. President of the Pharmaceutical Wholesalers' Association, Dilip Mehta, told Express Newsline that the assurance was made by both Thackeray and Somaiya, who said the impasse would be resolved within seven days. Sardar Tara Singh, chairperson of the Health Committee in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), was also present at the meeting, held at the mayor's bungalow this evening.

``We are hopeful that good reason will prevail and octroi duty on medicines will be completely withdrawn within this period,'' Mehta said. The chemists had discussed the matter with MayorNandu Satam earlier today but the impasse continued as Satam refused to withdraw the duty.

As part of the negotiations, the chemists have agreed to submit proposals regarding developmental works in the city to assist the BMC. Municipal Commissioner Girish Gokhale said the administration would study the proposals before arriving at a decision.

Addressing a press conference later, Satam claimed the talks had failed as the chemists were adamant that the levy be withdrawn as a precondition to negotiations. Justifying the levy on medicines, he pointed out that octroi generates about 70 per cent of the civic body's revenue. ``The BMC needs the income in view of the financial deficit it is facing, and octroi on medicines is absolutely justified,'' Satam said.

He also said the BMC has arranged to supply medicines to the public from 203 medical centres, which will be opened all over the city. Four centres, one each at Sion and KEM hospitals and two at Nair Hospital, were opened today, he said.

Civic officialsalso met with general practitioners, who have agreed to supply medicines to the public from their clinics. Additional Municipal Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad met members of the Indian Medical Association and General Practitioners Association in this regard.

Earlier today, 19 Shiv Sainiks including MLC Shishir Shinde were arrested when they broke open several pharmacies in Mulund at 10 am. They were, however, soon released. On Wednesday, Shinde had thrown down the gauntlet telling the agitating chemists that he would break open their drugstores if they did not open their shutters by noon today.

About 50 Sainiks led by Shinde, Shakha Pramukh Subhash Patkar and other local leaders went around chemists shops in Mulund (E), shouting slogans and breaking open shops at Phadke Road and Gavanpada. They also targeted shops at Mulund (W). Medical supplies were removed from the shops and taken to the local shakhas for distribution to the people. The chemists, who gaped helplessly as their elected representativesvandalised their shops, summoned the police. Deputy Commissioner of Police Dalbir Bharati, who visited the venues, told Express Newsline that Shinde and the others were released on bail. Representatives of the striking chemists had also urged Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde to provide them police protection.