Nine French tourists detained in Bihar's Nawada district for violating visa rules were deported from the state on Sunday, police officials said.

Bihar Director General of Police Abhyanand said that the French tourists were detained for violating visa rules as they participated in a meeting organised by an NGO in Nawada.

Abhyanand said that it was a violation of their visa rules as in spite of having only tourist visas, they were taking part in other activities.

According to the police, the tourists were helping a NGO that supports Maoist rebels. The NGO, Unity Forum, claims that it helps the locals protect their rights.

According to officials in Nawada, the French tourists were made to leave the state  following orders from the administration.

They were flown to Delhi on Monday and would be deported soon.

The Bihar police has also informed the French embassy about the incident.