The Kamath family, residing at Dewalwadi village, converted to the brand of Christianity professed by the Believers group about eight months ago. Since then, the family home has been converted into a prayer hall, where Charismatic prayer sessions are held every Thursday.

``Around 25 people from the village come regularly for prayers,'' says Utkarsh Kamath, who adds that the group consists of several Hindus and even some Catholics who are drawn to the Believers.

According to Kamat, the increasing attraction of the Believers has drawn the ire of his neighbours, who are accusing him of trying to convert the local people. Following last week's prayer session,a group of villagers broke into the Kamats' house and tried to attack the family. ``After threatening to kill us, they left when we promised not hold any prayer sessions here,'' he told The Indian Express.

Following oral complaints by his neighbours, local police officials visited the Kamath residence and advised them to `maintain peace'. ``We have now decided to pray quietly,'' Kamath says.

Opponents of the converts, however, insist that the Believers are offering inducements of Rs 1,200 per month to the converts. ``A number of people have been offered money to joint the Believers,'' alleges Abhay Kunkoliencar, an engineer from the village. He says it is largely people from the working class who are drawn to the sect.

However, adherents of the Believers deny they were offered any inducements. ``I began to attend their prayer sessions after I heard some preachers from Manipur,'' says Gangmaya, a Nepali housemaid. Damu Sathe, an agricultural labourer, says he began to attend the prayer sessionsafter his grand-daughter was cured of a dog bite. Both Gangamaya and Sathe, who are not formally baptised into the faith, have stopped attending the prayer sessions after receiving threats.

Opponents of the Believers at Dewalwadi have threatened to physically halt the prayer sessions at the Kamat residence. ``We want them to leave,'' says Sanjay Talwadkar, a school teacher and a prominent Konkani playwright. Talwadkar, who is not known to be aligned with Hindutva forces, has complained to the police about the fears that the Kamath residence could make way for a full-fledged church in the near future. ``Who are they to start it here,'' he asks.

Both Talwadkar and Kunkoliencar warn that various communal disturbances could break out if more people convert to the Believers group. ``Already people from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad have offered us their help,'' says Talwadkar. He, however, points out that the villagers have declined the assitance of these groups for themoment.

Nevertheless, rising tension in the village is now causing concern to local law-enforcement agencies. ``So many people are claiming so many things. We are now trying to normalise relations between the two groups,'' says a senior local police official. He is also trying to effect a settlement between Kamath and a distant aunt who owns the Kamath residence. Villagers are now accusing the Kamath's of grabbing the property.

Charismatic Christian groups whose adherents call themselves `Born Again Christians', have for long had an uneasy relationship with the larger Catholic Church. Recently, the local police obtained an assurance from the organisers of a Revivalist meeting that the Virgin Mary would not be denigrated at the meet.

But the conflict between the Believers and the majority community in Goa has the potential to damage the communal fabric of the state.