Goa assembly discuses mystery death of US tourist in state

The Goa assembly on Wednesday discussed the controversial death of a US national in Korgao village, 35 km from here.

The victim, Cairtan Vholte, died late on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and police officers claimed that he died as he choked himself on mud after running into a slushy field.

Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane told the assembly that tourists would stop visiting the state if foreigners died like this. "Who will come to Goa if tourists die like this?"

Parsekar responded: "I was told that he was chased by the villagers and he died in a paddy field after suffocating in the mud. I am going to find out more."

Vholte, according to eyewitnesses, was being chased by locals from Korgao as he was suspected of being a thief. "He later ran into a soggy paddy field when he fell and died after being choked, before the police reached the scene," an eyewitness said on condition of anonymity.

The victim appeared mentally-troubled according to statements of witnesses, a police officer told IANS. "He died after choking on mud in a marshy area, which he had run into," the officer said.