Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, 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, Mein participated in the Vintage Willys Jeep Rally from Namsai to
Pangsau Pass via the historic Old Ledo Road, alongside Member of Parliament (Arunachal East) 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, 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.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the rally is a historic and very memorable one.
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 interacted with the government officials from the Republic of Myanmar.
At Jairampur, Mein inaugurated the World War II Cemetery and unveiled the “Wall of the Forgotten Theatre – 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.
Attending the concluding day 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.
