Government is drawing proceedings against seven ex-ministers for thetr failure to surrender within the stipulated time as It was announced earlier.

Government in an order asked 1 I former ministers of the Ershad government to surrender by January 31. otherwise, the order mentioned ’’they shall be sentenced to one-year rigorous imprisonment or pay fine or both.*

Only four ex-ministers surrendered within the deadline while seven other former ministers are still absconding.

The ex-mintsters who were ordered to surrender Include (former prime minister) Kazi Zafar Ahmed. Anwar Hussain Manju. Nazlur Rahman Manju. Animil Islam Mahmud. Ziaud-dln Ahmed Bablu. Sardar Amjad Hussain. H.M.A. Gaffar Zafar Imam, Sheikh Shahidul Islam. Kazi FeroJ Rashid and Ruhut Amin Hawladcr.

Meanwhile, the government has attached the belongings and Immovable property of Kazi Zafar Ahmed. Nazlur Rahman Manju. Anwar Hussain Manju. Anisul Islam Mahmud. and Ziauddln Ahmed Bablu. However. no action has so far been taken against Sard.ii Amjad Hossain and Abdul Gaffar. The four former ministers who have surrendered or have been arrested are Sheikh Shahidul Islam. Kazi Firoz Rashid. Ruhul Amin Hawladar and Zafar imam.

The order of the govern-

ment is self explanatory about the punishment of the ministers who have not yet surrendered. But according to Home Ministry sources, tmplementa-. lion of the punishment needs' fresh proceedings against the ex-ministers.

The former ministers will not be disqualified as member of parliament if elected. The Constitutional Clause 66-2(0) related to the disqualification of a person to be elected parliament member is only applicable for those who are convicted for not less than two years or unless a period of five years has elapsed since hie release.

Among the absconding ex-ministers. Naziur Rahman Manju is contesting the election from three constituencies, and Anwar Hussain Manju and Ziauddln Ahmed Bablu are contesting from one constituency each.