Gaya (Bihar), August 1 : Maoist rebels have protested against the Indo-US civil nuclear deal in Gaya district of Bihar.

The rebels burned tyres and shouted slogans against the Government at their hideout at unidentified location in Gaya on Friday.

They criticised the nuke deal as being harmful in the interest of the country.

"The Government is talking about the deal when the country''s economy is in bad shape. America is a powerful country and the deal will be like an invitation to an enemy into our homes. The situation of the country will turn from bad to worse," said Gulab, leader of the Maoist rebels.

The Maoists are observing ''Martyrs Week'' in memory of their colleagues killed in the past one year in clashes with police.

The Maoists are highly active across India, including the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. They are also active in some areas of Orissa, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Since 2005, more people have been killed in Naxal-related violence than in Kashmir or the Northeast.

Naxalism has spread to more than 150 of India''s 600 districts. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are the worst-affected states.

Since January 2006, Chhattisgarh has recorded over 500 deaths in Naxal-related violence.

They claim to be fighting for the rights of poor peasants and landless labourers and routinely call strikes, attack Government property and target local politicians. (ANI)