Incidents of snatching have increased on the Chittagong University (CU) campus due to lack of adequate security measures.
At least five incidents of mugging took place on the campus in last seven months.
A gang of unidentified miscreants took away mobile phones on July 29 from two female resident students of Pritilata Hall while they were strolling on the road behind the hall.
Sohel Rana, a student of communication and journalism department, became victim of snatching on July 12 when he was roaming the university botanical garden along with his friend. The snatchers armed with lethal weapons took away three mobile phone sets, a wrist watch and wallet from Rana and his friend.
Miscreants snatched Tk 5,000 from a fresher identified as Mizanur Rahman from in front of CUCSU building who went to the campus for admission to the zoology department on January 27.
Campus sources said the road behind Pritilata Hall is a safe haven for the miscreants as the road is not much in use. The students are almost reluctant to visit the botanical garden, the most scenic site of the university, due to insecurity. Apart from this, the charming fountain behind Faculty of Arts and Humanities has also become a risky place for the students as the miscreants hide there to snatch valuables from the sightseers.
A snatcher identified as Md Jahangir, 28, was caught red-handed by the students on April 5 from university No 2 gate area. He was handed over to police. Jahangir along with his accomplices mugged mobile phone sets from the students in the university “telle hill” area in early March, campus sources said.
Sohel Rana, a victim of snatching, said outsiders are involved in the incidents of snatching on the campus. He said they become victim of snatching by the strangers in broad daylight as the university authorities are indifferent to the problem. Sohel said students are insecure as the university authorities have no interest in beefing up security on the campus.
He said the few guards on the campus are insufficient to protect the students from becoming victims of snatching or physical assault.
Mohammad Hossain Ahmed, an outgoing student, said he went to visit the university fountain a few months back along with his friends where the miscreants snatched his cellphone set, injuring him seriously with sharp weapons.
Rebeka Zannat, a resident student of Pritilata Hall, said she does not roam around the campus freely since she feels insecure.
She wants the university authorities to stop the outsiders at the entrances of the campus as they, in the guise of students, carry out muggings and other criminal activities.
She said the miscreants particularly target female and young students who are more vulnerable to muggings.
Inspector Mizanur Rahman of university police outpost said outsiders are conducting such criminal activities on the campus and they are trying to arrest the gang of snatchers.
Proctor Dr Mohammad Akter Hossain said they are trying to ensure security but budgetary constraints sometimes limit their actions.