Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh today (Oct 13, 2004) said the State Government was ready for a dialogue with naxalites but would not be a "silent spectator" to any violent act by them.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Singh said the Government looked at the naxal issue as a "social problem" and was willing to talk to them. He also noted the ongoing dialogue between naxal leaders and Andhra Pradesh Government.

He however made it clear that if naxals took recourse to violence, it was the primary duty of the Government to protect people and it could not remain a "silent spectator".