New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the government should take strong action against the Maoists, clarifying reports that he favoured dialogue with the Leftwing rebels contrary to his party's tough policy against the insurgents.

"I want to say that the government should take strong action against Naxals (Maoists) and killing of innocent people cannot be allowed," Modi told reporters here after meeting Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

"No government should bend in front of violence. Be it central or state government, strongest actions must be taken against those who kill innocent people," Modi said.

Earlier in the day, during an interactive session with students at Mangalayatan University in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Modi called Maoists "our own" and said, "We have to make them understand that talks are the only way and killing people is not going to solve any problem".

In a statement, Modi clarified that the question asked to him was in the context of youth taking to violence, to which he had answered: "Violence will never change the situation and they should leave arms and within the constitutional framework they should raise their voice in the right forums to solve their problems."

"I was neither asked what the government should do nor did I reply on the issue," he added.

Maoist guerrillas have stepped up attacks on security forces. On Wednesday, they triggered twin explosions in West Bengal's Lalgarh area, killing five security men.