Two mamlatdars sought the information on weddings performed according to the Christian Marriages Act of 1872 from the Catholic community at Isar village near Zhankhvav, which was probably the first place in South Gujarat to witness a conflict between the Hindu and Christian communities two years ago.

On Monday, the Mangrol Mamlatdar called up Fr Albert Delgado and asked him to provide information on Christian marriages. A couple of hours after he refused to do so -- because ``we are not bound to give such details'' -- a Mandvi mamlatdar-issued circular was handed over to Catechist master Chandubhai Chaudhary. The circular, originally issued on February by the district magistrate, asked the mamlatdars concerned to collect and provide the information within 10 days. The mamlatdar's office, in turn, relayed the circular to talatis.

Surat Collector Sangeeta Singh, who took charge on February 6, however, only said, ``No such circular has been issued during my tenure. I am inquiring into it. But I would never issue such a circular''.

However, Mandvi's deputy mamlatdar B U Mahida and a sub-divisional magistrate told Express Newsline on condition of anonymity that ``the details are being collected at the district magistrate's instance''. The Umarpada mamlatdar has already collected information.

A couple of Christian leaders said that they were apprehensive the details were being collected to find out whether any minor was married, so that they could be dragged to court.