In addition to robbery, some nine to 10 well-organised gangs comprising nearly 150 criminals are active in mugging and snatching in the city.

At least 50 auto-rickshaw drivers are involved with criminal acts particularly snatching and mugging in the port city, according to a police source. The information was found through investigation and from confessional statements of the arrested top criminals.

Police stations in the city have no actual record of snatching incidents, as most of the victims do not go to police.

Women have already stopped wearing ornaments while going out. Rickshaw passengers, mostly women, are vulnerable to snatching.

Snatching incidents are also common in the buses and human haulers in which the snatchers travel and rob passengers whenever they get a chance.

None is safe from the muggers as patrol police remain inactive and do not help the victims.

Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) staff quarters from Oli Khan Mosque and its east gate had virtually turned into a safe haven for the muggers.

Doctors and relations of the patients lose their belongings as they frequently fell victim to mugging.

The latest incident of snatching took place on June 28 when muggers intercepted Professor Dr Prabhat Chandra Barua, head of the Community Medicine department of CMCH. The snatchers took away his cell phone, cash and wallet on his way to quarters adjacent to CMCH Principal's residence.

According to city residents, outer stadium, MM Ali Road, Chatteshwari Road, Ashkar Dighirpar, Jamal Khan, Sirajudaulah Road, Gani Bakery square, Prabartak crossing, CRB Road, Surson Road, Wasa crossing, Mimi Super Market Road, Love Lane, Kata Pahar, Badamtali crossing, Lalkhan Bazaar and Cheragi Pahar crossing are the most vulnerable spots for mugging.