The final day of the 10th Pangsau Pass International Festival in Nampong shed light on a crucial yet overlooked chapter of Arunachal Pradesh’s wartime history, prompting renewed calls to formally acknowledge the local communities that played a vital role in constructing and supporting the historic Stilwell Road during World War II. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein addressed the audience, highlighting the contributions of various communities, including the Singphos, Tangsas, Tai Khamtis, Tikhaks, Adis (formerly known as Abhors), and Nagas. These groups were essential in building the Stilwell Road, also known as the Ledo Road, serving as suppliers, guides, porters, and laborers, which enabled Allied forces to maintain crucial supply lines despite facing “extreme conditions.”
Mein noted the heavy toll on these communities; many individuals succumbed to malaria, typhoid, and dysentery, while others perished navigating treacherous terrains or due to wartime violence. He emphasized the urgent need to document and honor the names of those who sacrificed their lives, suggesting that a museum be established to commemorate them.
The three-day festival featured several attendees, including Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao, Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul, Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongter, and numerous officials and community representatives. Mein also brought attention to an overlooked aspect of the wartime effort— the significant use of elephants as working animals. Guided by local mahouts, these elephants hauled logs, transported ammunition and wounded soldiers, constructed bridges and runways, and extracted vehicles trapped in deep monsoon mud.
Taking place near the India-Myanmar border at Pangsau Pass, the festival attracted participants from India, Myanmar, and various parts of Southeast Asia. Organizers aimed to highlight shared histories, indigenous traditions, and cross-border cultural connections. Mein described Pangsau Pass as “a symbol of remembrance, peace, and shared history,” underscoring the potential for developing heritage-based tourism that ties into the memory of the Stilwell Road.
During the event, Mein also released the book “Tradition, Transformation and Identity – The Tikhak Tangsa of Arunachal Pradesh,” authored by Dr. Jeevantu Tikhak, which offers insights into the social and cultural life of the Tikhak Tangsa community.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/arunachal-pradesh/video/arunachal-festival-renews-push-to-honour-unsung-builders-of-stilwell-road-1335334-2026-01-23?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-01-23 11:39:00
