Arunachal Pradesh is developing a Rs 5 crore war memorial in Keyi Panyor district to honour Neelam Tebi, an Assam Rifles jawan who laid down his life fighting Chinese forces during the 1962 India-China War. The memorial, planned across approximately 45,000 square metres, will commemorate Tebi’s sacrifice and recognise the contributions of soldiers who died defending the country. The state government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the first phase of construction, according to the report.
A Hero Long Unrecognised
Tebi hailed from Nyelam village in Lower Subansiri district. He was serving with the 5 Assam Rifles when he was killed in action in the Kameng sector during the Chinese offensive. According to military officials, he sustained injuries and died the following day. His contribution had remained relatively unknown in his home state for years, a point Major Bhanu Mahesh of the 19th Battalion of the Jat Regiment underlined while paying tribute. The Major said the memorial would recognise the sacrifices of soldiers who fought in the 1962 war, with particular attention to Tebi, one of the many legends of the 1962 conflict honoured in recent tributes across the state.
Tributes at the Site
Personnel from the Indian Army’s 19th Battalion of the Jat Regiment, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and local dignitaries gathered at the memorial site to pay tribute to the fallen soldier. Commandant Thanglian Mang of the 60th ITBP Battalion recalled Tebi’s courage during the Chinese advance and said the memorial would help preserve the legacy of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the country.
What the Memorial Will Feature
The proposed memorial will include a cenotaph, a wall of fame bearing the names of martyrs, a museum-cum-armoury hall and a statue of Tebi. The site will also have an entry gate, an approach road, viewpoints, landscaped gardens, a cafeteria and parking facilities. Subsequent phases are expected to include the installation of an armoured tank and a helicopter.
The land for the project has been donated by residents of Nyelam village through the local Neelam society, reflecting the community’s long-standing effort to preserve the soldier’s memory. Military officials hope the memorial will become a destination for visitors interested in India’s military history, complementing established 1962 war memorials such as Jaswant Garh at Tawang and Walong, and joining other memorials honouring the state’s own fallen soldiers.
The commemorative programme is part of wider events recalling the 1962 India-China War and the soldiers who defended India’s territorial integrity. For the people of Nyelam, the memorial will give permanent form to their effort to ensure Tebi’s name is never forgotten.
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