Reopening of World War II road to China urged Lekhapani (Assam) | January 08, 2006 12:15:06 PM IST
Leaders in India's northeast have urged New Delhi to reopen the historic Stilwell Road, built during World War II, linking the region with China via Myanmar to boost border trade with Southeast Asia. "There is no second opinion among the governments and the people in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to allow this legendary road to reopen," Assam Forest and Wildlife Minister Pradyut Bordoloi said here. "We hope the central government takes steps to make this dream a reality to boost trade and commerce," Bordoloi told IANS. The 1,726-km Stilwell Road was a vital lifeline for the Allied Forces during World War II to free China from Japanese occupation. The road starts at Assam, in the heart of India's northeast, and cuts through the Pangsau pass in Myanmar to reach Kunming in south China. The road was built by Chinese labourers, Indian soldiers and American engineers and named after American General Joseph Stilwell who led the task and completed it in 1945 after three years of hard work. The Stilwell Road on the Indian side is about 60 km. The major stretch of 1,033 km lies within Myanmar, while the road in China is 632 km long. Hundreds of soldiers died while building the road - many of whom are buried along Lekhapani, about 600 km east of Assam's main city Guwahati. On Saturday, a group of 34 American and African descendants of the World War II veterans who died constructing the road gathered at Lekhapani to take part in a three-day cultural festival organised by the Assam government. "The sacrifices made while constructing the Stilwell Road would be recognised if this historic road is again reopened to forge better links between the people in South Asia," said Ron Bleeker, son of an American army captain Albert Bleeker who died while laying the road. Thai and Myanmarese business and cultural delegates here to attend the festival also advocated reopening the Stilwell Road. "Free trade with South Asian countries and India's northeast would be possible only with its reopening," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said. "Our region would then have the potential to become the hub of business activities." Legislators from Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh echoed the view. "Once border trade gets going, there will be lots of avenues for youth. Then, frustrated young people will opt for businesses instead of taking up arms due to lack of employment," said a legislator from Arunachal Pradesh. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said his government was keen on furthering the country's 'Look East Policy' aimed at allowing border trade with neighbouring nations. Indian automobile components, fruits, grains, vegetables, textiles and cotton yarn find a strong demand in almost all the neighbouring countries. Indian traders are interested in importing electronic gadgets, synthetic blankets, teak, gold and semi-precious stones. Yangon, Bangkok and some Chinese cities are much closer to most northeast states than New Delhi or Mumbai. Kunming in China is 1,726 km from Ledo in Assam where the Stilwell Road begins. _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
