Addressing a closed-door meeting with the Mohila Awami League at the party's Dhanmondi office, Hasina called on the women leaders to work together putting aside all differences among themselves, sources said.

"Start taking preparations for the next election from now on and strengthening the organisation by involving women of all walks of life in its activities," said a source quoting Hasina.

The Mohila League will hold an extended meeting on February 3 in the capital, with leaders from different districts and upazilas.

"The February 3 meeting will discuss the organisation's future plans and may take up some programmes," said a leader of Mohila League seeking anonymity.

"We are now planning to organise countrywide tours by separate teams in an effort to mobilise people, particularly women, to protest against the repression of women under the present regime," she said.

Emerging from the meeting, Hasina expressed deep concern over the incidents of violence against women.

Women were beaten up by alliance loyalists and also by police, she told the journalists.

The police also torture women in their custody and during the remand period, Hasina said, adding that the incidents of repression are increasing day by day.

Mohila Awami League President Ashrafunnessa Mosharraf and General Secretary Fazilatunnessa Indira were present at the meeting.