New Delhi: Government today said it has the legitimate right to use as much force as necessary to regain control of areas dominated by the Maoists and made it clear that talks with them could only take place if the ultras abjured violence.

Terming naxalism as a 'graver problem' than jihadi terrorism, Home Minister P Chidambaram vowed to effectively tackle the threat from Maoists, who have declared a war against the Indian state, before the term of the government ends.

Chidambaram said the goal of the Maoists was armed liberation struggle and the sole purpose was to seize power.

Referring to the offer of talks made by the government to the Maoists recently, he asked, 'Why aren't the Maoists
making a simple statement that we abjure violence?'

He said in such a situation, it was the legitimate right of the government to use as much force necessary to
regain the areas and hoped that once the government regains control in two to three years, it would usher in development.

'We are confident that before the term of UPA II ends, we will get rid of naxals and will have considerably
strengthened our security to face any threat,' he said addressing the India Today Conclave here.