However, these efforts were severely undermined by the decision of the United Christian Forum for Human Rights (Gujarat), the umbrella body that has been voicing the views of the minority community, to disassociate itself from such work. A statement in Ahmedabad by forum coordinator Fr Cedric Prakash said the decision had been taken as ``harassment of Christians was continuing, inflammatory speeches being made, derogatory handbills handed out and false cases registered against Christians''.

While acknowledging that the kar seva was ``a positive step'', Fr Prakash said the Christians needed guarantees of protection and security. He also rejected the idea of the community seeking any physical help in rebuilding the churches, though he said financial assistance would be welcome from all.

That message hadn't reached Dangs, however, where symbolism -- however cliched -- poured some balm on a troubled region. The dry facts were that Christian prayer halls in Mulchond and Nadagkhadi villages and a Hanuman temple in Nadagkhadi had a few tiles placed on their roofs; the implications were wider. Members of both affected communities participated in the events -- to the sound of stray handclaps -- and though the VHP and Bajrang Dal stayed away, they didn't create any hurdles.

The exercise was not without its moments of tension, though. Both communities thought that their structure would be repaired first, so the members stayed put. Consequently, there were few Christians at the temple, which was the first project undertaken. When the group of officials set off for the church, the Hindu villagers refused to join them, citing absence of Christians at the temple. It took much persuasion by the officials -- and a promise that the exercise would be repeated at the temple with more Christians -- for the villagers to acquiesce.

The exercise had been initiated by district administration officials, including collector J P Gupta and DSP Manoj Shashidhar, who had stressed repeatedly that development was the key to restoring peace in the area. To that end, work was started on pick-up bus stands, water tanks and cement seats; school children carrying placards took out rallies to promote communal harmony.