By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 19: A Shillong-based supplier has written to the Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Khasi Hills, seeking action against two vendors who allegedly failed to clear dues of more than Rs 3 lakh. The vendor claimed that the financial strain has left him with no option but to consider suicide, as his business is collapsing.
In his complaint to the DC and DGP, Sahahbaz Qureshi, who runs a roadside shoe shop at Iewduh and also supplies goods to other vendors in the city, said he is battling a serious medical ailment for which he was recently hospitalised. Taking advantage of his ill health, he alleged, two vendors — Peter Sawkmie and Idrid Ali — stopped paying him for the goods he had supplied.
“As I am facing a huge financial crisis to meet my medical expenses, I requested them to clear the dues. However, the vendors refused to pay, and when I repeatedly asked them, they began verbally abusing me,” the complaint stated.
Qureshi further alleged that Sawkmie, a vendor at the Fruit Market, owes him Rs 3.54 lakh. When he approached Sawkmie for payment, the latter allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened to shoot him if he continued to demand repayment. The complaint also named Idrid Ali of G.S. Road, who allegedly owes Rs 1.27 lakh. Qureshi claimed that Ali threatened to kill him over the phone when he asked for repayment.
According to the complainant, this business is his only source of income to support his family and cover his medical bills. With suppliers refusing to provide him goods due to his inability to clear outstanding payments, Qureshi said he is left with no option but to end his life if the authorities fail to act.
Details of the FIR were shared with East Khasi Hills Police, but no response was received till the filing of this report.