Three young men from Bhojwar Bagicha of Mocharim village in Bodhgaya have been detained for allegedly raising "anti-national" and "pro-Pakistan" slogans.

The youths have been kept at a secret place in Gaya for interrogation. No case has been registered against them so far. Mocharim is around 500 metres southeast of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara.

Gaya superintendent of police Awakash Kumar confirmed the youths' detention.

"We were informed that three youths have been caught by villagers for allegedly raising anti-national slogans late Monday evening. The police, led by deputy superintendent of police (DSP) law and order Satish Kumar, Bodhgaya DSP Ravishankar Prasad, Bodhgaya circle inspector Arun Kumar Singh and station house officer (SHO) of Bodhgaya police station Naresh Kumar arrived at the village Tuesday morning and took the youths into custody. However, no one from the village has approached the police to register complaints against the youths. Therefore, till Tuesday afternoon no case has been lodged against the trio," the city SP said.

According to reports, a musical programme is organised the day after Diwali every year at Bhojwar Bagicha. Large number of youths from several districts of Bihar, who work for a private company, stay on rent in the village.

The youths were watching the musical programme on Monday evening. During the programme, they the alleged slogans. When the villagers asked them not to, they allegedly refused to desist.

The villagers allegedly thrashed the youths and locked them in a room through the night.

In the morning, the police arrived and took them into custody. However, the police had to face resistance from villagers who were not ready to hand over the youths, sources said.

Around 25 young men lived in the house from where the three men were detained.

The other youths have fled the village.