The absence of streetlights, a common sight for long, only favours the anti-social elements and criminals much to the fear and concern of the pedestrians and commuters.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), several months ago, identified 80 points without streetlights in the port city as the most vulnerable to snatching or attacking rickshaw and other passengers.

Operating through syndicates across the city, the muggers prey on the pedestrians or passengers on the roads under Kotwali Police Station at Badsha Mia Chowdhury Road, Surson Road, Chittagong College to Parade Corner, Bangla College to Gani Bakery, Jamal Khan Moor, Shaheed Saifuddin Khaled Road, Kadamtali to Railway Public School, Tigerpass to Kather Banglo, Central Railway Building (CRB) area, Tin Poler Matha to Chatteswari Moor via Nasiman Bhaban, Gulzar Cinema to Chatteswari Moor (near Chittagong Medical College Hostel), Ashraf Ali Road to Avoymitra Ghat Road in Feeringee Bazar, Fisheryghat to Jalilganj and Iqbal Road of Patharghata, Kazir Dewry to Lalkhan Bazar, and Outer Stadium area.

There is no streetlight in most of these areas while a few lights were found damaged in some areas.

Commuters usually try to avoid these areas fearing the possibility of snatching.

Rafiqul, a rickshaw-puller, alleged he was victim of snatching thrice in last two months while going through Badsha Mia Road and Chatteswari Moor.

“I think streetlights are badly needed on the roads especially in Surson Road, Chatteswari Road or CRB area as there is a few shops or other commercial establishments in these areas and the places are relatively quiet”, he added.

Prabal, a resident of CRB area, said he usually takes CNG auto-rickshaw to cross the area at night only to avoid snatching.

These aforesaid areas are also known as safe haven for the drug users and peddlers and the sex workers.

CMP Assistant Commissioner (AC) of Kotwali Zone Abu Baker Siddique said drug peddlers and sex workers take advantage of the darkness in the areas like CRB, Outer Stadium and Stadium Road adjoining to Chittagong Club.

Addicts take drugs in groups beside the electric poles and dustbins or on the footpaths at CRB and Outer Stadium areas at night.

The risky roads without streetlights under the Double Mooring Police Station are Agrabad T&T Colony to Chittagong Maa O Shisu Hospital, Upahar Cinema to Lucky Plaza, Lucky Plaza to Beparipara, Banani Complex to Dhebarpar Lane, Link road adjoining Dewanhat Over Bridge and Boubazar Kancha Raster Matha.

Sajjadul Karim, a student who live in Agrabad T&T Colony, said snatchers and drug users sometimes damage the streetlights to carry their criminal activities easily.

CCC neither monitors condition of the streetlights nor they do repair the damaged lights, he added.

There are no streetlights in Rubi Gate area, Sher Shah Shaheed Minar Police Box, KDS Textile Gate, Bayezid Fire Service, Raufabad Colony, Amin Jute Mill Gate, Bangladesh Forest Research Institute area, Burma Colony and Hamjarbagh Moor under Bayezid Police Station.

During the outage these areas become dangerous for the pedestrians while cross the roads.

The officials concerned at the CCC Electric Department refused to talk to The Daily Star on the issue.

Executive Engineer Md Shahidullah, however, suggested The Daily Star correspondent to write to him seeking his interview for comment on the issue.