Nagaland Flatfenders Club at the iconic Hamilton Bridge at the Original Stilwell Road that leads to Burma.
Arunachal Pradesh, January 25 (MExN): In a historic first, the Nagaland Flatfenders Club (NFC), with 15 World War II-era Willys and Ford Jeeps, spearheaded the World War II Jeeps Peace Rally to inaugurate the Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) 2026 in Arunachal Pradesh from January 19 to 22.
The PPIF commemorative rally, marking 80 years since the end of World War II, began on January 19 from the Hump World War II Museum at Pasighat and proceeded to Namsai, covering 182 km through the Siang river delta. The four-day rally covered a total distance of 878 km, retracing key World War II sites and relics across the Eastern Himalayas.
The Nagaland Flatfenders Club was invited as state guest by the Arunachal Pradesh government for PPIF 2026. The NFC contingent was led by T John Longkumer, IPS, President, NFC (former DGP, Nagaland, and present SEC), along with Pedi Miachieo, vice-president, Dr Andrew Ahoto Sema, secretary general, and Alo John, IPS, advisor, besides 18 club members and a 12-member support team.
The rally itinerary included Pasighat–Namsai on January 19; Namsai to Lampong, the PPIF festival ground, on January 20; visits on January 21 to the Jairampur War Museum, Lal Pul (Red Bridge), Hamilton Steel Bridge, the historic Stilwell Road and the Pangsau Pass border post; and Namsai to the Pangsau Pass International Market Centre on January 22, before returning to Namsai. The NFC team departed for Dimapur on January 23.
The inaugural PPIF programme was attended by minister Kento Jini and MLAs Mutchu Mithi, Tsetan Chombay Kee, Hamjong Tangha, Thangwang Wangham and Oken Tayeng, besides ZPC Remjung Jugli. En route from Pasighat to Namsai, the convoy visited the Golden Pagoda Temple complex and halted at Aohali village, known as a zero-hunting village, where a cultural troupe performed. The rally was escorted by motorcyclists from the Mebo Riders Club, Running Wolves Club, Namsai, and the 60 KMPH Club.
On the next day, the event was attended by minister P D Sona, Brig Sarabjeet Singh, commander 25 Sector Assam Rifles, Brig Chiv Mehta, commander 2 Mountain Artillery Brigade, Col Anurag Chauhan, CO 1831 Medical Regiment, and Col Atul Parashar, commandant 10 Assam Rifles. The convoy visited the World War II Cemetery and Museum at Jairampur and drove through Lal Pul, Hamilton Bridge, Stilwell Road and Hell Gate, highlighting wartime logistical challenges in the region, before reaching the Lampong festival venue for the official inauguration of PPIF.
A key highlight was the exclusive NFC drive along the original and preserved Stillwell Road, marking the first time original US military World War II Jeeps traversed the route after 80 years.
The closing day was graced by Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who drove his own restored World War II Willys Jeep, refurbished by the NFC technical team led by Saren Aier and Vikshe Shohe. He was accompanied by Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte, MP Tapir Gao, ministers Dasanglu Pul and Gabriel D Wangsu, MLAs Hamjong Tangha, Oni Panyang and Punyo Apum, and ZPC Remjung Jugli. The Deputy Chief Minister formally inaugurated the World War II Cemetery and Museum at Jairampur after leading the convoy along the historic route.
The drive has been recorded as the first Willys Jeep convoy along the historic Ledo–Kumning route, popularly known as the Stilwell Road, since the end of World War II. The rally stood as a tribute to soldiers, engineers and civilians associated with the route and reflected the NFC motto, “Preserve and Flourish.”
The club expressed gratitude to the Arunachal Pradesh government, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, host MLA Laisam Simai, MLA Oken Tayeng, and members of the Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators Association for logistical support, and offered thanks for the safe completion of the rally.
