Swim event: Khaunte blames high-handedness of IPS officer

Panaji: Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte on Friday attributed the disruption of the Oceanman open-water swimming event at Caranzalem to what he called the “high-handedness” of an IPS officer.Calling the incident a reflection of insensitivity towards local sentiments, Khaunte said, “The event is a classic example of the highhandedness of an IPS officer. These people come from Delhi and don’t understand the sentiments of Goans.”“Traditional fishing operations carried out by ramponkars in the area are of greater importance. One cannot obstruct or destroy another activity to accommodate their own,” he said.The minister further clarified that no individual or organisation could conduct activities at the site without the required permits, warning that “such illegal activities tend to happen”.Khaunte further suggested that the traditional ramponkar activity could be developed as a tourism attraction.The minister’s remarks come amid growing criticism over the disruption caused during the Oceanman event.