Army won't be called to fight Maoists: Antony

Defence Minister A K Antony on Monday ruled out the use of Army against Maoists but said violence perpetrated by them would be dealt with firmly.

"The army is the last resort in internal security measures and the government does not intend to use it against Maoist activities," he told media persons in Thiruvananthapuram.

He said though law and order was mainly a state subject the Centre was prepared to extend any support, including providing paramilitary forces, to deal with any internal security problem.

The role of defence forces is different and the Army would be the last resort in settling problems in states, he said.

Maoists have been operating in states like West Bengal, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand and their ideology of violence would be dealt with firmly, Antony said.

"Nobody, including Maoists, will be allowed to take law into their own hands," Antony said.