The boycott had been announced yesterday by Fr Cedric Prakash, coordinator of the United Christian Forum for Human Rights and spokesman for the community since the crisis began last month.

Representatives of the two communities are scheduled to meet at snehmilan programmes in Ahwa and Subir in the Dangs tomorrow. Gaikwad said he would not be in Ahwa on Friday, but his representatives would attend both functions. It is learnt that both communities were initially reluctant, but had been were persuaded by the Collector and the DSP.

Gaikwad, who had attended yesterday's symbolic functions at Mulchond and Nadagkhadi villages, said he or hisrepresentatives would attend all such programmes. ``It is not right to stay away from such programmes when the administration is trying to restore amity,'' he said.

Father Prakash, who had emerged as the spokesman of Christians of all denominations during the crisis, has described the shramdan as ``a positive step'', but said members of his community could not participate in view of their continuing harassment.