After Sunday’s brazen burglary in a senior citizen’s house, residents of Challenger Towers in Thakur village, Kandivali, are afraid that such an incident could occur again. Despite the complex — which comprises four towers and 650 flats — having 40 security guards, residents claim this to be the fourth robbery or break-in since last year. The police, however, don’t believe that an organised gang is behind this and even till now, their prime suspect for the latest incident are labourers who were working on renovations in the building.

While Madhuri Shah was not at her residence on Monday, her daughter told Newsline over phone that she was still in a traumatised state. “My kids too are very traumatised. We blame the security for this incident taking place. We don’t really want to talk about this matter as we are afraid of any backlash or adverse effects to our job,” she added, not willing to divulge her identity.

The residents were also very afraid after this latest incident. Shah’s next door neighbours were reluctant to open their door to talk and only did so after confirming the person who rang the bell’s identity. “We are very afraid as this happened right next door and this is not the first time such an incident has taken place,” she said on condition of anonymity.

R Shetty, who resides in Tower 3 of Challenger Towers said, “We are taking precautions but yet these things are taking place.” His colleague, who didn’t wish to divulge his identity added, “We take standard precautions like confirming a visitor’s identity but still I am afraid as the ladies in my house are alone all day.”

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