Srinagar, Sep 12 (IANS) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked separatist guerrillas in the state to announce a ceasefire during the coming holy month of Ramadan, and assured them of a positive response from the government.

"Time has come to openly declare stoppage of all kinds of violence, attacks on innocents, throwing of grenades, planting of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and resorting to harassment of people by militants," Azad said in a statement here Tuesday.

The chief minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are "completely fed up with the cult of violence".

"Keeping in view the holy month of Ramadan, people would appreciate the same," Azad said. He added that the government would be happy to respond to a ceasefire, which ideally should extend beyond the Ramadan period as well.

The chief minister hoped this would not only help in the state's progress and development, but also provide an opportunity to the people to get rid of violence and misery forever.

Azad added: "Militants will also realise that peace is the demand of the people and gun culture has no relevance in any civilised society, when matters can be sorted out on the table through dialogue in a peaceful atmosphere."