"I am shocked and saddened that I have been prevented from standing beside the affected people and extending help to them," Hasina, also former prime minister, said in a press statement adding that conspiratorial cases have also been lodged against her.

The AL chief observed that the leaders and workers of her party have the experience in facing natural disasters, but the present government has set an example of rejecting cooperation. She also termed depriving the landslide victims from the help they could render them "inhuman."

"I wanted to visit the affected people on moral and humanitarian grounds and there was no politics in it as it is the long tradition of Awami League to stand beside suffering humanity," Hasina said adding that her party had joined the rescue and relief operations during the destructive cyclone in 1991 and devastating floods in 1997-1998.

She also mentioned her government's success in dealing with the flood situation in 1998.

The AL chief observed that it is the responsibility of a government to seek cooperation from all to alleviate the sufferings of the victims of a natural calamity adding that it is tough to overcome such devastating situation without integrated efforts.

"As elected mayor of Chittagong as well as leaders of Awami League there are in jail, my visit to Chittagong in this situation would have been really helpful for the government's relief and rescue operations," Hasina said.

The former prime minister urged her party leaders, workers and supporters to help the survivors of Monday's landslides.

She called for taking strict actions so that such disaster caused by cutting hills by influential people does not occur again and immediate implementation of the environment law for punishing the culprits.

Hasina also demanded that the government take steps to rehabilitate the victims right away and ensure treatment and jobs for them.