Demolition drive turns violent in Lucknow; lawyers pelt stones, police resort to lathicharge

LUCKNOW: Tensions erupted in Kaiserbagh on Sunday after police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse protesting advocates during a demolition drive carried out by the Municipal Corporation outside the Civil Court complex.Police said the situation escalated when a group of lawyers began protesting and started pelting stones at security personnel. To control the crowd, security personnel used force to disperse them.The demolition drive targeted chambers constructed near the High Court and Civil Court premises as part of an encroachment removal operation ordered by the Lucknow Bench of the High Court.Kamlesh Dixit, deputy commissioner of police (West), Lucknow, said a heavy police force had been deployed across the area to maintain law and order during the operation.“Demolition proceedings are currently underway against chambers constructed near the High Court in Kaiserbagh. A heavy police force has been deployed during this operation, with personnel stationed at various strategic points. The situation is under control, and the demolition drive is going on,” he said.Officials confirmed that the Municipal Corporation carried out the drive following court orders to remove illegal encroachments from the area.(With agency inputs)