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 no one 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-PakAttari 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.