Nagaland: NFC commemorates WWII with 80-year-first Jeep convoy on Stilwell Road

The Nagaland Flatfenders Club (NFC) created history by leading a World War II-era Jeep Peace Rally along the historic Stilwell Road during the Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) in Arunachal Pradesh from January 19 to 22, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
A convoy of 15 restored Willys and Ford WW-II Jeeps from Nagaland spearheaded the commemorative rally, retracing key wartime routes and landmarks across the Eastern Himalayas.
The club participated as State Guests of the Arunachal Pradesh government.
NFC team was led by its president T. John Longkumer, IPS (Retd.), former DGP of Nagaland and current State Election Commissioner. The delegation included vice president Pedi Miachieo, secretary general Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema, advisor Alo John, IPS, along with 18 club members and a 12-member support team.
The four-day rally covered approximately 878 km. It began on January 19 from the Hump WWII Museum in Pasighat to Namsai (182 km), passing through the Siang river valley.
En route, the convoy stopped at Aohali village, known as a “zero hunting” village, where a cultural troupe welcomed the participants. In Namsai, members visited the Golden Pagoda complex, symbolising peace and remembrance.
On January 20, the rally proceeded to Lampong, the PPIF venue near Pangsau Pass. The convoy was escorted by motorcyclists from Mebo Riders Club, Running Wolves Club (Namsai) and 60 KMPH Club of Arunachal Pradesh.
Subsequent days saw visits to major WWII sites including the Jairampur War Cemetery and Museum, Lal Pul (Red Bridge), Hamilton Bridge, Hell Gate and stretches of the original Stilwell Road, the historic Allied supply route linking India to Burma (Myanmar) and China during the war.
A key highlight was NFC members driving their original US military WW-II Jeeps on preserved sections of the Stilwell Road—described by organisers as the first such drive in 80 years since the war ended.
The rally coincided with the inauguration of PPIF and the 80th-year commemoration events, attended by several dignitaries including ministers and legislators from Arunachal Pradesh, senior Army and Assam Rifles officers.
The closing programme was graced by Arunachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, who drove his own restored WW-II Willys Jeep. The vehicle had been restored by the NFC technical team led by Saren Aier and Vikshe Shohe. Mein later led part of the commemorative drive and inaugurated the WWII Cemetery and Museum at Jairampur.
Other dignitaries present included APLA Speaker Tesam Pongte, MP Tapir Gao, ministers Dasanglu Pul and Gabriel D. Wangsu, and several MLAs and local leaders.
According to the club, the convoy is now recorded as the first organised Willys Jeep drive along the historic Ledo–Kumning axis of the Stilwell Road in the post-war era.
The commemorative rally paid tribute to the soldiers, engineers and civilians who built and operated the wartime route under extreme conditions. It also reflected the club’s motto, “Preserve and Flourish,” highlighting its commitment to restoring and using heritage vehicles to keep history alive.
The NFC expressed gratitude to the Arunachal Pradesh government, particularly Deputy CM Chowna Mein, MLA Laisam Simai, MLA Oken Tayeng, and the PPIF organisers for the opportunity. The club also acknowledged logistical support from Arunachal Pradesh Tour Operators Association members Chow Enseng Mantow and Chow Sukiyo Mein. The team returned to Dimapur on January 23 after completing the historic rally.