They collected funds for the festival from every family and asked for permission to celebrate from the Tahan authorities.

"We had discussed with authorities regarding the celebration. We explained that it is our tradition. We could only celebrate after they gave us permission," said a local.

The authorities had banned festival in 1988 but it has begun to be celebrated again as of yesterday.

The authorities permitted celebrating Chin National day this year but when the time came they suddenly withdrew the permission. So about 300 students in Kalay Myo went to Thuma village seven miles from Kalay Myo and celebrated on a field. They distributed T-shirts, with 59th Chin National Day written on it. The authorities started to inquire about it.

But the Chapcharkut festival was celebrated successfully and around 200 people participated.

Chin people used to celebrate the festival during harvesting time every year. Although it is an annual festival Chin people cannot celebrate everywhere every year for various problems.

But in Mizoram , India neighbouring Chin state, the festival of Chapcharkut is organized by the government annually and celebrated with Mizo dance. – KNG.