TURA, Oct 12: There is immense good news for the people of South Garo Hills, especially Siju region, as the MDA government led by Chief minister Conrad K Sangma has decided to create Siju community and development block, with the chief minister himself expected to inaugurate the new block on October 25th.

This will be the 5th C&RD block in south Garo Hills and the 21st block in Garo Hills.

The demand for a C&RD block in Siju goes a long way, in fact decades, with people from the region long complaining of underdevelopment as two other blocks, Rongara and Baghmara C&RD blocks, are at a considerable distance from the region.

To make matters worse, torrential rains in June, this year, triggered flash floods that caused intense devastation of the region leading to roads and bridges getting washed away, landslides destroying villages and people losing lives.

The work to restore normalcy to the affected region has been painstakingly slow.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma has been pushing for restoration works to be speeded up and believes establishment of a block will further pave the way for more development to reach the region which is one of the most sought after tourist sites in the Garo Hills until flash floods destroyed the area.

Siju is also the home bastion of Meghalaya’s first chief minister Captain Williamson A Sangma and has immense significance politically or otherwise.