Murder and crackdowns spell trouble for Goa

Fear has engulfed the Indian psy-trance haven Goa this week, with upwards of 10 people being found murdered whilst 18 went missing, just as the holiday season started in the psy-trance Indian holiday resort, which Future Music Festival heroes Above & Beyond described as the 'birthplace of modern rave culture'.

Press reports initially suggested a serial killer was at large, though subsequent reported suggested four of the victims were killed in one single incident by a group of men, while two others were suspected of killing themselves in a suicide pact. Just over the weekend, two men were picked up on suspicion of committing multiple killings, including those of a 16 year old girl and an elderly fisherwoman, The Times Of India reports.

The explosion in violence came days after Government Minister Ravi Naik vowed to launch another crackdown against revelers with a typically blustery threat. "We will not tolerate rave parties and drugs at all," the Home Minister declared, "They are already banned in Goa and we will make sure the ban is implemented," he promised.

Whether the ban will actually be enforced remains unclear since last year a similar ban was overturned within hours after angry local traders lobbied state officials.