Aizawl, Apr 4 (IANS): Easter, signifying the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifiction, was celebrated Sunday in churches across northeast India with special prayer and worship programmes.

Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur while there are some Christians in the other northeastern states.

"The Salvation Army band party played "He's risen" in Aizawl, Kohima and several other places in the northeast," a Church head Zosangliana Colney told reporters here.

Members of the Catholic Church broke their week-long traditional fast to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Christians celebrate the resurrection on Easter Day or Easter Sunday two days after Good Friday, the day of Christ's crucifiction.

Churches in Mizoram, Nagaland and Meghalaya play a very active role in the life and culture of the northeast states.

"Christianity is the harbinger of modernity as well as women's liberation in Mizoram. The Christian missionaries, therefore, are regarded as a symbol of modernisation, leading to gradual changes in the conservative attitude of men towards women," Colney added.