"Suspend and hand over the identified ministers to the police immediately," the Gono Forum and Jatiya Oikya Mancha president asked the prime minister in a written statement at a press conference on "Terrorism, National Security: What needs to be done" at the Jatiya Press Club yesterday.

Citing statistics and information on militant activities of Bangla Bhai, he said the tyrant leader and his men killed 16 people and disabled hundred others during April 2004 to January 2005.

He demanded immediate formation of an independent national inquiry commission comprising three retired chief justices and experts for a neutral investigation on militancy and all militant bomb attacks in the country.

"Unless the prime minister takes action against the ministers and orders the immediate investigation into the charges which are reportedly confirmed by Abdur Rahman, national security will continue to be in grave danger," he said.

Kamal said the government who blamed the media for creating factitious characters like Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai should immediately seek apology.

"It has been proved that the allegations against the media are baseless. The continued retention of those ministers in the government would mean the prime minister and the government condone their role as patrons and protectors," he said.

The country's leading jurist said the independent national commission could be headed by several former chief justices who can be nominated through consultations between the government and the opposition parties.

"The commission should include recognised and independent experts who could evaluate all the evidence collected over the last 24 months. The commission should also seek assistance of the United Nations within the existing framework of international cooperation to combat terrorism provided by the Security Council Resolution 1373 and related resolutions," he added.

Gonoforum presidium member Commander (rtd) Abdur Rouf read the written statement on behalf of Kamal at the press conference. Gonoforum and Jatiya Oikya Mancha leaders Advocate Zahirul Huq, Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Pankaj Bhattacharya, Ajoy Roy, Mustafa Mohsin Montu and Advocate Sheikh Akhterul Islam were also present.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) in a press briefing yesterday demanded immediate arrest of the "godfather ministers" who have links with militant kingpins Abdur Rahman and Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai.