The latest crackdown on the AL leaders loyal to the former prime minister however has left her upset and pretty much on her own, said a source close to the AL chief.

Different other sources said some more AL leaders might be detained shortly and a series of pressure tactics employed.

The interim administration has already been working to revive two years-old graft cases against her regarding the purchase of MiG-29 fighters and a frigate. The High Court on Tuesday set August 1 and 7 for hearing on her petitions for quashing the cases filed during the rule of four-party alliance.

The previous day, a Dhaka court asked for a supplementary investigation report to be placed on July 1 on the October 28 Paltan killing case filed against Hasina and 45 others. The Tk 3 crore extortion case against her too is under investigation.

In addition, the military-backed government is gathering information about her bank accounts to find out if there's been any unusual transaction.

She might as well be implicated in new cases since her name has come up during interrogation of the party colleagues detained by the joint forces, sources added.

Following Monday's action that saw AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil detained, Hasina has been desperately seeking options to deal with the happenings. But the senior and influential leaders stayed aloof and wanted her to keep silence over the crackdown, sources said.

Only a few leaders went to Sudha Sadan, the AL chief's Dhanmondi residence, on Monday evening to discuss the situation. They suggested that she strongly condemn the detention of Jalil.

A group of senior leaders, mostly presidium members, have distanced themselves from Hasina of late, adding to the pressure on her to concede the demand for radical changes in the party.

It is learnt that the group with support from some mid-level leaders has been working towards intra-party reforms by rendering Hasina ineffective or forcing her to quit. It is trying to convince the others that no meaningful reform is possible with Hasina still in command.

The pro-reform group has already been discussing the name of a senior AL leader to replace her as the party president, sources said.

It has turned out to be quite a challenge for Hasina to deal with the crisis both within and outside the AL, said party insiders.

Under the circumstances, some leaders, close to her, have suggested that she would better open a dialogue with the government to know exactly what reforms it wants to take place, they added.

Hasina however has assured her worried colleagues that she would not cave in to any pressure. She would rather face the crisis. She also told them that the government might even detain her, said an AL source.

Apart from the AL general secretary, AL Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Hasina's cousin, was held on Monday night.

Another presidium member, Kazi Zafrullah, who too is known as faithful to the AL president, was arrested on April 18. Besides, the forces have picked up two of Hasina's personal staff.

Meanwhile, the army-led joint forces continue their hunt for a number of AL leaders having allegiance to her.

Earlier on April 18, the government issued a press note imposing a ban on Hasina's coming home from abroad. It then said if she returns, she might seek to make provocative statements and disrupt public order.

The government however withdrew the restrictions on April 25, allowing her to return home.