Fighting Between Indian Troops, Maoists Intensifies (SLIDESHOW)

Today India declared the small rebel group of Maoists as terrorists, banning the group under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Times of India reported that the government declared that "the Maoists need to be fought politically and administratively."

According to the BBC, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention Act) strengthens the power of India's police force, giving them the authority to detain Maoist members even if they have not been involved in insurgent activity.

The rebels said the strike they declared was in response to the "war" on people in Lalgarh, West Bengal, where security forces launched an offensive in recent days. Lalgarh had been under the virtual control of the rebels since November. India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, has described the Maoists as the greatest threat to India's internal security.

Thousands of villagers have fled their homes in Lalgarh to avoid the fighting between the Maoists rebels and Indian troops. Al Jazeera reported Maoist-linked violence has killed 6,000 people in India over the past 20 years.

Here is a slideshow of the local Lalgarhan villagers.