In a decisive move to curb public nuisance, the Lucknow Police launched a rigorous citywide enforcement drive on Wednesday night, targeting individuals consuming alcohol in open spaces. The operation resulted in checks on thousands of people and fines for over a thousand offenders.
Massive One-Hour Enforcement Drive
The special drive was executed between 9 pm and 10 pm on January 7. It was initiated in direct response to numerous complaints from residents about rampant public drinking, which often led to harassment, especially of women, traffic disruptions, and general disorder in the city.
Under the supervision of Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar, the operation saw active leadership from deputy commissioners of police across all zones. They led teams that included assistant commissioners and station house officers, ensuring a coordinated effort.
Citywide Checks and Legal Action
Police teams conducted intensive checks at 181 public locations across Lucknow. These included:
- Roads and major intersections
- Parks and market areas
- Bus stands and other crowded spots
Out of 3,477 people screened, authorities issued challans to 1,025 individuals found violating norms by consuming alcohol in public. Legal action was taken under the relevant Section 34 of the police act.
Zone-Wise Breakdown of Fines
The data from the drive revealed a significant number of violations across the city. The zone-wise tally of challans issued was as follows:
- Western Zone: 263 challans (highest)
- Central Zone: 255 challans
- Eastern Zone: 245 challans
- Southern Zone: 162 challans
- Northern Zone: 100 challans
Ensuring Public Safety and Discipline
Police Commissioner Amrendra Kumar Sengar emphasized that the drive's core objective was to ensure public safety and maintain civic discipline. He stated that the action was a direct consequence of repeated grievances from citizens.
"In view of repeated complaints from citizens, effective action was taken," Commissioner Sengar said. He issued a stern warning, adding, "Such special drives will continue, and anyone found disturbing law and order at public places will face strict legal action." This signals a sustained effort by the Lucknow Police to tackle the issue of public drinking and associated hooliganism head-on.
