Definition: In this task, a passage will be given and the goal is to identify an event from the passage. An event is defined as a single word representing something that happened, is happening, or may happen. An event can be factual or hypothetical, positive or negative, certain or uncertain. While most events are based on verbs, an event can also be based on a noun (ex. storm, snow, rainfall) or a copula verb (is, was, been, etc.). The event must not be a pronoun or an adjective. For noun events with multiple words, use the last word in the phrase as event.
Input: Passage: The appointment of Francisco Javier Ramirez Acuna as Interior Minister sparked controversy as there have been allegations of heavy-handed policing during his previous term as governor of the western Mexican state of Jalisco. Human rights groups have accused Ramirez of turning a blind eye to allegations of abusive and aggressive tactics by Jalisco police.

controversy