Itanagar, Jan 3: Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Friday underscored the state government’s focus on preserving the region’s World War II heritage and leveraging it for tourism promotion during a visit to the Hump World War II Museum in Pasighat. He was accompanied by former chief minister Mukut Mithi, local MLAs and officials during the visit.
Mein praised Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng for conceptualising and establishing the museum, describing it as a visionary effort to safeguard an important chapter of global and regional history. The museum houses rare wartime artefacts, including parts of aircraft that crashed in the region during World War II, and serves as a memorial to soldiers who lost their lives. He said the facility offers a deeply moving experience, particularly for families seeking to reconnect with the legacy of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The deputy chief minister announced that the state will mark 80 years of World War II during this year’s International Pangsau Pass Winter Festival. As part of the commemorative events, a special Willy Jeep Rally will be organised, tracing a historic route from the Hump Museum in Pasighat to Pangsau Pass in Changlang district via Namsai.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s wartime contributions, Mein said tribal communities played a crucial role during World War II by working as porters and providing vital assistance in the construction of the Ledo Road, a strategic supply route. To honour this contribution, he said another World War II Museum is being built at Jairampur, while key war-related locations across the region are being developed as heritage tourism destinations.
He further noted that trekking routes leading to aircraft crash sites in Changlang district are being developed to blend heritage conservation with adventure tourism. These initiatives, he said, are intended not only to attract visitors but also to ensure that the history and sacrifices associated with World War II remain alive for future generations.
Stressing the importance of remembrance, Mein said such efforts stand as a lasting tribute to history and a reminder that the sacrifices made during the war should never fade from public memory.
