Addressing a press conference at her Dhanmondi office, Sheikh Hasina, who is also president of Awami League, said the result of interfering with the people's showdown will go in favour of the opposition.

The government has arrested several thousand their workers along with a large number of innocent people without any justifiable reasons in last three days, Hasina said, adding that the ruling coalition is using the police and civil administration as well as their cadres to repress the opposition men.

The AL chief observed that a few officials of the police and local administration have taken a stand against the people. She urged those officials not to try to be 'cadres' of any person or party. Hasina directed her party leaders and workers to make a list of the police officials who are committing excesses.

The former prime minister said the alliance government's bid to foil the opposition's march is leading the country to conflict.

Urging the government to stop arrest and harassment of the opposition workers and the common people ahead of their showdown, she said otherwise the government has to bear the responsibilities if any untoward incident takes place.

Though the prime minister always speaks against hartal and strike, she is virtually encouraging enforcing a 'transport strike' and threatening the owners of vehicles to restrain their movements to foil the opposition's long march, Hasina said, adding that the government has requisitioned a large number of buses and other modes of transport and closed ferry services across the rivers.

Referring to the government's press note, Hasina said mass arrests, creating obstacles to rallies and attacks on opposition processions, rather than the long march, will tarnish the country's image.

"How can firing, attack and torture on common people and seizure of transports be legal if a peaceful long march is illegal?" she asked, adding, "Does the government want to deprive people of the freedom of speech?" she asked.

The opposition leader urged all the party leaders and lawyers to help the innocent people who have been arrested ahead of their long march.

Hasina directed the 14-party leaders and workers to brave all police and ruling party cadres' resistance and barriers anyhow and proceed towards the capital to make the long march a success.

The marchers towards the capital are working to put an end to the coalition government's "misrule, torture, harassment, militancy, and corruption" for the benefit of the people and democracy, Hasina said.

She urged the people residing the long march route to help the demonstrators.

About joining parliament, Hasina said, "We wanted to go to the House every time, but the Speaker switched off our microphone under the directive of the alliance government. We questioned the prime minister on different burning issues, but did not get response," the opposition leader said, adding, "The alliance government wants to keep the House for one-party, not allowing the opposition."

She said the 14-party opposition's demonstrations are for reforms in the caretaker government and the Election Commission to hold a free, fair and credible election only to establish people's rights.

After the press conference, Hasina addressed a meeting of the Dhaka city unit AL, where she directed the city AL leaders to work together to make the long march a' trump card' against the alliance rule.

AL leaders Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Obaidul Quader, Abdul Mannan, City AL President Mohammad Hanif, General Secretary Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Abdul Mannan Khan, advocate Shahara Khatun, among others, were present at the press conference and the meeting.