Against the backdrop of internal strife in the Maoist ranks on whether or not to surrender and engage in talks with the Centre, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Saturday drew a red line that takes the choice out of their hands. Speaking in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, he ruled out talks and made it clear that the only way for Maoists to survive is to lay down arms. Emphasising that both the state and central governments are “dedicated to the development of Bastar and other Naxal-affected areas”, he said, “Kuch log vaartha ki baat karte hain. Mein fir se ek baar spastha kar deta hoon… Kis cheez ki vaartha karni hai? If you use weapons to disrupt the peace in Bastar, then our security forces, the CRPF and the Chhattisgarh police will together give you a reply.