BANGLADESH'S MAIN opposition Awami League party has called for a two-day nationwide strike this week as part of its campaign to force Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia to resign.

The League has called on Khaleda to step down by April 30, and make way for early elections or face a ?tumultuous people?s movement? to get rid of her government. ?The strikes will demonstrate people's no-confidence in the repressive and corrupt government ? and take our mission closer to target,? Awami general secretary Abdul Jalil told reporters late on Saturday, referring to the aim of unseating Khaleda.

Khaleda has refused to step down and warned that anyone trying to ?pursue an evil design? or create anarchy would be punished.

Khaleda took office in October 2001 for a five-year term after defeating Awami chief Sheikh Hasina in a largely free and fair election.

The Awami League has organised strikes since February trying to shake the government?s stability but Khaleda appears firmly in control.

Nevertheless, fear of violence has spread through the impoverished country of more than 130 million people as the opposition deadline nears.

Strikes often bring the country to a halt, not necessarily because they have widespread support but because people are often afraid to defy them. Police say they have detained about 10,000 across the country, among them people who were unable to explain their reason for wanting to travel to Dhaka at a ?sensitive time?.

?Every police station in the capital becomes full by evening with hundreds of people being caged every hour. They are herded to city courts every morning, where some get out on bail...but most remain in custody,? said a lawyer at a Dhaka magistrate?s Opposition leaders say the police sweep is aimed at thwarting their campaign.

?More than 12,000 including political activists and innocent people have already been caged. They include over 1,000 women. They have been picked up at railway stations and ferry and bus terminals,? Jalil said.

The strike this week was also aimed to protest against the ?unprecedented police excesses?, he said.