LUCKNOW, May 14 -- The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is set to launch an anti-encroachment drive in the Qaiserbagh area on May 17 after identifying 72 allegedly illegal structures around the district court premises, officials said on Wednesday. Following directions from the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court, the drive will target advocates' chambers, photocopy shops, typing centres and refreshment kiosks that the civic body claims were built on pedestrian pathways and government land. Additional municipal commissioner Pankaj Srivastava said notices had already been served on all occupants, directing them to remove their belongings by May 16. "The drive will begin on May 17. All identified illegal structures that have been marked will be removed," he said. Municipal officials said the encroachments had severely affected movement around the court campus and narrowed internal roads, leading to frequent traffic congestion in the busy Qaiserbagh locality. According to officials, the municipal corporation submitted a report before the high court stating that 72 encroachments had been identified in and around the district court. The high court had earlier directed the LMC to clear the illegal constructions, but the operation was delayed due to inadequate police deployment. In a letter sent to the district administration on May 4, municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar sought additional police force and administrative support for the proposed drive. The high court had recently observed that authorities were empowered to remove encroachments from public pathways and government land to ensure public access and maintain order. LMC officials maintained that the drive was part of a broader campaign against illegal occupation of public spaces across the city. They said the corporation would ensure adequate security arrangements during the operation to prevent any disruption. However, the move has sparked concern among lawyers whose chambers have been marked for demolition. An advocate, requesting anonymity, said he had been operating from the premises for several years and added that the action could affect legal professionals working inside the court complex....