The Township Peace and Development Council of Falam Township, Chin state has cut salaries of government employees as contribution for the Burmese traditional festival ‘Thingyan’ also known as the water festival held from April 13 to 16 April every year.

“We are not all Buddhists. It’s not fair for the authorities to deduct from our salaries for the festival without consulting us. On the other hand, we celebrate Christian festivals but there are no donations for us. The authorities never request government employees to donate from their salaries as is being done for the water festival,” said a government employee in Falam Township.

Government employees in Falam Township have to donate from their salaries for the water festival every year.

There are more than 30 government departments in Falam Township with around 1,000 employees.

The Burmese traditional festival (Thingyan) is celebrated without any permission from the authorities. But when Chin people want to celebrate traditional and religious festivals they need to take permission from local authorities.

Chin people have to pay up to Kyat 10,000 to authorities as bribe to celebrate their Chin Christian and traditional festivals. Sometimes they have had to cancel their arrangements when the authorities refuse to give permission.