Defence Minister AK Antony on Monday ruled out the use of Army against Maoists but said violence perpetrated by them would be dealt with firmly.

"The army is the last resort in internal security measures and the government does not intend to use it against Maoist activities," he told reporters here. He said law and order was mainly a state subject, but the Centre was prepared to extend any support, including providing paramilitary forces to deal with any internal security problem.