It's nothing new; such training has been going on for some, but has come into focus and has evoked these reactions only in light of the current tensions in the region.

In fact, when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Congress president Sonia Gandhi were talking peace on their day-long visits to Dangs -- the neighbouring district -- earlier this month, the Bajrang Dal was holding its training camp. The camp, in which Dal activists were given tips in `warfare' by retired military personnel, concluded on January 10 (the day of Vajpayee's visit), according to DSP (Rural) B D Vaghela.

The Dal's South Gujarat convenor Harish Surti was candid when asked about the military training being imparted. ``We hold camps twice a year in which retired military personnel are roped in to train new recruits. The objective of training is to prepare them to face internal disturbances, because soon we may have to face a Kashmir-like situation in Gujarat,'' he said.

The Dal is nothing if not organised and visionary. Surti says those who have received ``advanced training'' might be assigned to impart training to others.

Anita Vasava, a resident of Haripura village in Uchchal taluka, said some sadhus visited her village two weeks ago. ``They came in a Tata Sumo, enquiring about the number of Christians and churches in the village. After their visit, village boys are being given training in lathi-wielding and martial arts.

It's the same story in Badgam village in Umarpada taluka and Kolkhadi in Madvi taluka.