Team Herald

PANJIM: Reacting to the several drowning incidents in the State, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday blamed the tourists for being drunk while venturing into the rough seas.

Speaking to the media, Sawant said he State is concerned over the drowning deaths. “At the same time we have told Drishti to deploy additional lifeguards, besides Indian Reserve Battalion personnel have also been deployed at black spots,” he said.

He added that while the State has been taking all measures, the tourists also need to understand the laws of the land. “Most of the drowning incidents have happened due to drinking and they do not listen to warnings issued by lifeguards,” he said, referring to drowning of some youth from Belgaum.

He said the State government has started implementing the public drinking law very strictly. “We cannot allow such nuisance just because we want more tourists,” Sawant said, when it was mentioned that strict rules may have an adverse effect on tourism.