The Lucknow Police Commissionerate was pushed to its operational limits during the New Year's transition, navigating an extraordinary surge in emergency calls and law-and-order situations. The force remained on maximum alert from the stroke of midnight on December 31st until the early hours of January 1st, managing a critical two-hour window packed with public incidents.
A Statistical Breakdown of the Festive Chaos
Official data reveals the sheer scale of the challenge. Between 12 am on December 31 and 2 am on January 1, the police control room received a staggering 1,398 incidents spanning 50 different categories. This peak-hour volume starkly contrasts with the city's average of about 1,500 calls over a full 24-hour period on the UP 112 emergency helpline. Out of the total, 827 incidents were classified as primary law-and-order challenges directly linked to the festivities.
Topping the list were interpersonal disputes, with a whopping 275 cases reported. A senior police officer explained that these were primarily fueled by neighborhood quarrels, family disagreements, and altercations stemming from celebrations and alcohol consumption. Close behind were 97 complaints of domestic violence, highlighting the intensified social and familial pressures that often accompany holiday periods.
Women's Safety, Theft, and Traffic Emergencies
The women's safety helpline 1090 also saw significant pressure, registering 89 complaints related to harassment, stalking, and requests for urgent assistance. Furthermore, 89 cases of threats and personal intimidation were logged, indicating heightened emotional tensions. Property crimes and public disturbances kept officers busy, with 52 theft cases and 51 incidents of assault and rioting recorded across various localities.
Road safety emerged as a major concern, with 70 road accidents attributed to late-night traffic, speeding, and drunk driving. An additional 44 traffic-related incidents required police intervention. While fewer in number, serious crimes like 20 attempted murder cases and 23 pollution-related complaints were treated as high-priority matters due to their severe nature.
Police Stations Under Pressure and Strategic Response
The burden was not evenly distributed. The Chinhat police station bore the brunt, recording the highest number of incidents at 80, followed by Alambagh with 71 incidents. Stations like PGI and SG City each reported 57 incidents. Other high-workload areas included Thakurganj (54), Jankipuram (51), Madiaon (45), Aashiana (44), Krishna Nagar (43), and Sarojini Nagar (40). Even typically quieter zones like Gomti Nagar and Indira Nagar reported between 21 and 37 incidents each, demanding constant vigilance.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar stated that proactive measures prevented escalation. "Quick response and preventive deployment helped ensure that these cases did not escalate into major law-and-order situations," Kumar said. The police strategy involved deploying additional forces, intensifying night patrols, establishing traffic checkpoints, and activating dedicated quick response teams. Continuous coordination with the UP-112 command center ensured faster dispatch of patrol vehicles and timely handling of every distress call, managing to keep the bustling city under control during the celebratory chaos.
