NAMPONG, Jan 23: Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, attended the concluding day of the Pangsau Pass International Festival 2026 at Nampong, marking a significant moment of remembrance, celebration, and cross-border cultural unity.
On the occasion, Chowna Mein participated in the vintage Willys Jeep Rally from Namsai to Pangsau Pass via the historic Old Ledo Road, alongside Member of Parliament Tapir Gao, Speaker Tesam Pongte, Minister Dasanglu Pul, MLA Laisam Simai, ZPC Namsai Chau Sujana Namchoom, Advisor to DCM, Captain Anupam Tangu and Lt Colonel T. C. Tayum, and members of the Flatfenders Club of Nagaland, led by T. J. Longkumer, IPS (Retired DGP of Nagaland).
The rally was more than a display of classic automobiles, it was a tribute to heritage, adventure, and engineering excellence. The iconic Willys Jeep, synonymous with World War II, symbolises ruggedness, reliability, and versatility, having played a pivotal role in reconnaissance, troop movement, and logistics across challenging terrains.
Deputy Chief Minister said that the rally is a historic and very memorable one. Reflecting on the journey, he recalled that just after World War II, his grandfather, Chow Chali Mein along with his uncle Late Chow Makha Mein and maternal uncle, Late Chowpan Namchoom drove two Willys Jeeps with trailers from Chongkham to Myitkyina in then Burma (Myanmar), bringing back close relatives from Myanmar safely after the end of war. Traversing the Old Ledo Road today felt like retracing those historic footsteps,an emotional blend of family legacy, history, and adventure.
The rally passed through iconic World War II landmarks including Lalpul Bridge, Hamilton Bridge, Hell Gate, and stretches of the Old Ledo Road, evoking the enduring legacy of the Jeep as a symbol of mobility, resilience, and human ingenuity.
He expressed sincere gratitude to the 10th Assam Rifles for their warm reception and hospitality at Pangsau Pass and also interacts with the Govt Officials from the Republic of Myanmar.
At Jairampur,  Mein inaugurated the World War II Cemetery and unveiled the “Wall of the Forgotten Theater – World War II”, paying homage to the soldiers and civilians who lost their lives in the Eastern Theatre of the war. He also visited the upgraded World
War II Museum and also paid homage to Sepoy Lamtu Tikhak of the 7th Assam Rifles, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh from Vintong village who served the nation with honour and courage. He fought in the 1962 Sino-Indian war and endured captívity as a Prisoner of War in Lhasa, later also served in the 1965 Indo-Pak War. Awarded the Raksha Medal for his steadfast bravery and devotion to duty, he returned undaunted to service and laid down his life on duty in 1967.
He noted that the historic pass, once a wartime lifeline now stands as a symbol of peace, friendship, and shared heritage.
Attending the concluding day 3 of the 10th Pangsau Pass International Festival 2026, Mein said that many people of   Arunachal Pradesh including Singphos, Tangsas, Tai Khamtis, Tikhaks, Abhors (now called Adis), Noctes and others have contributed in building the historic Stilwell Road, also known as Ledo Road as suppliers, guides, porters and labourers, whose courage and resilience made the Stilwell (Ledo) Road possible and sustained Allied supply lines under extreme conditions. He said that many died due to diseases like malaria, typhoid,
dysentery, relentless terrains and many died by bullets during the World War II. He said that we must unearth the names of those who sacrificed their lives and took part in the Ledo Road construction and display their names in the Museum for remembrance.
Highlighting the broader impact of the festival, he said it brings together people from India, Myanmar, and Southeast Asia, celebrating shared history, indigenous traditions, and cultural unity.  He stated that this festival is a Heritage Festival for Eastern Arunachal which has the potential to attract tourists from across the world as memory tour. He also cited that even the elephants of this land became warriors of a different kind. Guided by skilled local mahouts, they hauled massive logs, carried ammunition and wounded soldiers, built bridges and runways, and pulled vehicles from deep monsoon mud during the World War II and construction of Stilwell Road.
He stated that he had been advocating for re-opening of the old Ledo Road and functionalization of the Integrated Check Post  in the Pangsau Pass, to boost border trade and movement of essential items to the people living in border areas.
He added that initiatives such as the Vintage Willys Jeep Rally, Namsai-Pangsau Power Drive, development of World War II museums, and trekking routes to historic and aircraft crash sites are transforming Pangsau Pass into a hub of adventure and experiential tourism, linking heritage with modern economic opportunities for local communities.
On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister also released the book “Tradition, Transformation and Identity – The Tikhak Tangsa of Arunachal Pradesh” by Dr. Jeevantu Tikhak and describe it as a tribute to the rich traditions and enduring spirit of the region’s communities.
‘From sacrifice to celebration, Pangsau Pass reminds us that our past shapes our path to peace and progress,’ he added.
The event was also joined by Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, MLAs Puinnyo Apum, Oni Panyang and Hamjong Thangam, among others.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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