"We have tolerated a lot -- no more," she said sounding a warning of stern action against indiscipline and anarchy.

Addressing a rally at Shaheed Faruk Road at Jatrabari in the capital, the prime minister apparently gave directive to her supporters to go for a counter-offensive against any violent political move. "Lock those inside their houses who want to block the roadmap of development," she told her audience.

Khaleda also asked the people to remain alert against this party (Awami League) trying to hinder the development efforts.

Presided over by Salauddin Ahmed MP, the rally was also addressed by Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Health Minister Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, Dhaka City Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka, State Minister for Youth and Sports Fazlur Rahman, State Minister Amanullah Aman, Adviser for Commerce Barkatullah Bulu, labour leader Nazrul Islam, Dhaka city BNP leader Abdus Salam and local Ward Commissioner Nabiullah Nabi.

Post and Telecommunications Minister Aminul Huq, Education Minister Osman Farruk, Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Political Secretaries Harris Chowdhury and Mosaddek Ali were present.

The prime minister thanked the people for 'defying' the hartal called by the opposition Awami League.

She said when they (AL) were in power, they oppressed the people and put the leaders and workers of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) behind bars.

"People did not give them vote because they (people) wanted to save themselves from oppression," she added.

Khaleda recalled how BNP's longmarch towards the Chittagong Hill Tracts, during the Awami League rule, was obstructed by the AL men, including Shamim Osman. "People and press are the witnesses," she said reminding the audience of the roadblocks at Demra and Kanchpur.

Pointing at the repeated call for hartals by the opposition, the prime minister warned that they would not be allowed to repeat the acts of violence they did during the BNP rule in 1995.

"People will be on the street to resist their activities," she said, adding, "They (AL) do not want development of the country and that's why they call hartal."

The prime minister claimed that the present government is carrying out efforts according to its election manifesto.

She claimed that the economy had been strengthened in the last two years of the four-party alliance government and law and order also improved.

Accusing the Awami League regime of handing illegal arms, some of which are still in the hands of the youths, Khaleda said her government will do everything possible to recover those.

Citing the development activities of the present government, including the ongoing fly-over project at Mohakhali and Biswa Road, she said these would change the face of the capital

As for local demands, the prime minister said more infrastructure development including roads, schools and college buildings, hospitals, playgrounds and embankments will be made.