Barisal mayor hopefuls promise child-friendly city

The three mayor candidates on Wednesday promised to build Barisal into a children-friendly city after children's representatives brought up an eight-point demand relating to the protection of their rights and development.
City Awami League President Shawkat Hossain Hiron and Jubo League leader Mahmudul Hoque Khan Mamun made the commitment at a meet-the-children programme at Ashwini Kumar Hall. BNP-backed Ahsan Habib Kamal did not attend it but said he held the same view and would do the same if elected.
Hiron promised to ensure that no children would ever sleep in the open and get deprived of education.
More than 200 children joined the event, organised by the monthly "Lal-Sabuj", a kids' magazine, along with different development and children's rights organisations.
They demanded a children's affairs officer in the city corporation, a council of guardians, and protection of their interests in the development plans. The list was prepared by "child journalists, guardians, and local rights bodies.