Hyderabad: Taking a tough stand on naxals, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N Chandrababu Naidu, who recently escaped an assassination bid by Peoples War Group (PWG) ultras, on October 17 virtually ruled out talks with naxalites and appealed to them to eschew violence and join mainstream to become part of the development process of the state.

"I want to promote peace and there is no place for violence. I cannot have talks with people who carry arms, lead an undergound life and lay down conditions for a dialogue," Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad in his first interaction with media after the PWG attack on him at Tirupati on October 1.

Clad in white dhoti and cream coloured full shirt with his left hand in sling, Naidu, who attended office work after a thanks giving visit to Tirumala, said "instead of constantly living in fear, it is better to die for a noble cause".

"I am not against anyone nor do I have a vindictive attitude. An awareness should be brought among the common man about the extremists and their outdated ideology on one hand and make them part of the development process," he said.

Describing the naxal ideology as 'impracticable' which could not be pursued, Naidu said, "in a democratic set up it is not possible for someone to preach that power flows through the barrel of gun, it is impossible and people should realise who is favouring development and who is stalling the process of development in the state."

PTI