Cuttack, Sept. 12: Police today detained Alok Bisoi alias Anand Atma baba, another self-styled spiritual leader, from his ashram near the Rameswar hill at Sahapada in Salepur.

He was taken into custody after a mob ransacked the ashram, from where the half-burnt body of a youth had been recovered.

Villagers alleged that the youth, Ashok Patra, had been murdered. They barged into the ashram today morning and damaged property. They also set fire to the yajna mandap. Five platoons of police had to be deployed at the ashram.

A villager said: "The youth's body carried injury marks which implies that he was brutally murdered, and his body was burnt."

The local residents alleged that Atma and some of his family members were involved in the murder of the youth, who had raised his voice against illegal activities. Resentment was brewing among the villagers, who had even lodged a complaint against Atma. However, no action was taken against him.

"We are probing into it and stringent action will be taken," said police superintendent Gurudas Kundu.