LUCKNOW, Feb. 26 -- A two-hour special drive by the Lucknow police against public drinking has revealed a sharp zone-wise imbalance, with the West Zone - largely comprising old city areas - accounting for 204 of the 326 penalties imposed across the state capital.

According to police data shared on Thursday, the crackdown carried out between 9 pm and 11 pm on Wednesday covered 329 locations in the city, during which 2,211 individuals were checked at various locations. The drive targeted people consuming alcohol in public spaces and those allegedly creating a nuisance or obstructing traffic.

Official figures show that of the 326 violators penalised, 204 were from the West Zone, including areas such as Chowk, Dubagga, Balaganj and Talkator...