Vowing to deal sternly with extremism, Chief Ministers today asked such outfits to abjure violence and join the mainstream on Independence Day. They announed roadmaps for economic development for their states. Condemning Maoists violence, leaders of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Kerala said extremism had no place in a democracy and asked the Naxalites to give up weapons and return to the mainstream. Appealing to separatists to refrain from violence, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah asked them to take advantage of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement in which he said, he was ready to consider autonomy if there was a consensus.With allegations of corruption plaguing the preparations for the October Commonwealth Games, Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit chose the occasion to send out a firm message that anybody found guilty of irregularities would face stern action.Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh appealed to militant organisations to lay down arms.Amid tight security in view of the boycott called by insurgent organisations, Singh said in Imphal that violence cannot provide any solution and asked militants to come to the negotiation table.Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said since unemployment was one of the major causes of insurgency, creating job opportunities can ensure peace in the state.With Bihar government declaring all its 38 districts as drought hit, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pledged that noone will be allowed to starve. In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi formally launched a housing scheme aimed at replacing huts with concrete structures in the state.A candle light vigil was organised at the Indo-Pak Attari border at midnight by the members from Indian chapter of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) and Hind Pak Dosti to convey the message of friendship, peace and love.Reports of celebration of 64th Independence day have come in from different parts of country and abroad.In Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed the Independence day function in Srinagar and appealed to the separatist Leaders to come to the negotiating table for a political solution to the problem.Addressing the function in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi announced that old agriculture pumpsets of small and marginal farmers in the State will be replaced with energy efficient pumpsets free of cost. With Bihar government declaring all its 38 districts as drought hit, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pledged that no one will be allowed to starve.Addressing the Independence Day function in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Mr.V.S. Achuthanandan said that religious tolerance and secular tradition is the corner stone of Indian democracy.In Assam, defying the boycott call by militants, a large number of people came out to participate in the Independence Day functions across the State. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said since unemployment is one of the major causes of insurgency, creating job opportunities can ensure peace in the state. In Manipur, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh hoisted the national flag at Imphal.In Gujarat, the state level function was held at Rajkot, where Chief Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the tricolor.