Noted Konkani writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner Damodar Mauzo has been provided round the clock police protection despite his refusal to take it as his life is perceived to be under threat. The threat was uncovered during the interrogation of a person arrested in connection with the mirder of journalist Gauri Lankesh.
During the interrogation of one of the murder suspects it was revealed that they had prepared a list of progressive writers who had to be eliminated and Damodar Mauzo’s name was in the list and so he has been provided police security.
Damodar who was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award in 1983 for his book titled ‘Karmelin’ initially refused the police security when he was informed about it a week ago. However, as the security agencies insisted he had to bow down and accept the protection.
“No bullet can defeat a thought,” was Mauzo’s immediate reaction to the news that his life was under threat. He is currently in Hyderabad where he is presiding over a function to release some books. The security cover for him has been provided by the central agency and not Goa Police.
