New Delhi : Asserting that the government is ready to take criticism for its anti-Naxal offensive, Union home secretary G K Pillai on Mar 9 said those who advocate the cause of Maoists (sympathizers) should have the courage to call a spade a spade and also condemn the murder of innocents by the extremists.

"Government is ready to take criticism. Government is responsible. Government is accountable. But the Maoists are not accountable to anybody," he was quoted as saying by a news agency. The home secretary was speaking at a seminar here. Pillai said there were people and NGOs who often criticise the government for its acts against Maoists but hardly utter any word when the ultras indulge in violence. "We must be willing to call a spade a spade. If Maoists are murderers, please call the Maoists murderers," he said.