Killing of jawan while opposing eve teasers unfortunate: SP

Ruling Samajwadi Party today termed as "unfortunate" the killing of an army jawan by eve-teasers in Meerut, even as BJP demanded stern action and immediate arrest of the accused.

SP leader Gaurav Bhatia, while condemning the incident, assured the family members of the 35-year-old army jawan that justice would be done.

The jawan was beaten to death by some of the eve teaser when he tried to rescue the girl on Thursday.

Vedmitra Chaudhury, a Lance Naik in 416 Engineering Brigade, had gone to get milk from a booth on Rohtak Road in Hardevnagar when he saw some youths teasing the daughter of the booth owner.

The jawan came to the girl's rescue and even beat up one of the eve-teasers - Akash Saini, police said.

Later, Akash called his friends, who arrived at the spot armed with sticks and assaulted Chaudhury, leaving him seriously injured.

The jawan, who was staying at Gopal Vihar with his wife and children, was admitted to Army Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday night, police said.

Three accused has been arrested and search was on to nab others.

"It is very unfortunate that a soldier has lost his life and it pains everybody more because this news has come on Independence Day," Bhatia said.

Meanwhile, BJP state BJP chief Laxmi Kant Bajpai said police should hang their heads in shame that a soldier had to lay down his life to save the modesty of a girl.

Bajpai said if the police failed to take strong action, BJP workers would take the responsibility of protecting girls on their own.

"We should not be, in that case, be blamed," he said, adding that BJP will raise the issue vociferously in the state legislature tomorrow.

Sub-Area Colonel Rajiv Kumar said Chaudhury performed the duty of an Indian citizen and protected a girl's honour. He will be remembered as a martyr.