Leaders of Bangladesh Auto-Rickshaw Light Transport Workers Federation (BALTWF) have placed a 10-point demand to remove discrimination in the transport sector and ensure road safety. They placed the demands at a discussion meeting at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday. The demands include handing over of already allocated 5000 CNG-run autorickshaws to drivers in Dhaka city and 4000 in Chattagram city as per the decision of the government in 2007, implementation of the Driver Appointment Act 1980, amendment to 22 sections of the Road Transport Act 2018 and implementation of the government decision to build separate lanes and dividers for light vehicles on highways to prevent road accidents, and eradicating all kinds of corruption, harassment and irregularities at BRTA regarding issuing licenses to drivers. Read: BALTWF urges govt to find out actual reasons for frequent road accidents Ensuring parking facilities for auto-rickshaws and light vehicles at important places in the city and elsewhere for the convenience of drivers and passengers, taking action against illegal toll collection by police and other agencies, introduction of rationing system for drivers and transport workers to provide essential commodities at low cost, and ensuring membership to the Board of Trustees and Road Safety Council and inclusion of representatives of the BALTWF in the district transport committee are among the demands. Read more: BRTA harassing transport workers during driving licence, dope tests: BALTWF With BALTWF president Abul Hossain in the chair, the discussion meeting was addressed by President of Bangladesh Transport Workers Federation Abdur Rahim Bokht Dudu, Joint Secretary General Zubair Zakir, and BALTWF general secretary Golam Faruk.

The international children’s rights organisation, Kochi Konther Asar, has submitted four separate memorandums to the Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus, the UN Regional Office, UNICEF and the US Embassy in Dhaka. These memorandums called for an end to the violation of children's rights globally including in Bangladesh. The organisation conducted a day-long programme on Thursday to mark World Children’s Day and World Children’s Week 2024. In response to questions from journalists, Kaium Khan, Secretary General of the Central Executive Committee of Kochi Konther Asar, stated, "Children are being abused in various ways in all countries, including Bangladesh. Children in war-torn countries, in particular, are suffering from extreme violence and hardship." Citing recent events, Khan added that many children were injured or killed during recent uprisings, with the world also witnessing the suffering of children in the conflicts in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, and Russia. Founder of Kochi Konther Asar, Hemayet Hossain, emphasised that children in many countries, including Bangladesh, are still denied their basic rights. "Discrimination is evident even in fundamental human rights," he said, also pointing out that street children do not receive any support from government hospitals. Read: UN will declare both Israel and Hamas are violating children's rights in armed conflict After the speeches, a group of child representatives, alongside a UNICEF rally and road march, presented their demands through memorandums. A special memorandum was submitted to the office of the Chief Advisor at 11 a.m., followed by submissions to the United Nations and the US Embassy at noon. A minute of silence was observed in honor of children who were killed or injured in anti-discrimination movements. Students from various institutions, including Bengali and English medium schools, autism schools, madrasas, and schools such as USEP School, Autism Welfare Foundation, Mastul School, Karail Slum Street School, Academia, Manipur School (Tribal Students), Al Amin Hifzul Quran Madrasah and Orphanage, and Mapleleaf School, were present. The participants held placards with messages such as “End Child Labor,” “Reform Right to Education for Children,” and “Save Gaza, Save Ukraine, Stop the War.” Read more: Tuku for forming cross-sector body for protecting street children's rights Kochi Konther Asar distributed nutritious food to over 5,000 school students at Surupi Salina Baksa High School grounds in Muksudpur On October 1. Kochi Konther Asar USA and Children’s Voice sponsored this event. The organisation, which works across several countries including Bangladesh, has made significant contributions to the development of children's education, health, culture, and environmental awareness. This year, Kochi Konther Asar celebrates its 48th anniversary, marking a milestone in its service to children's development.