This was the demand of a group of children who met Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam to share their bitter experiences with him at his office yesterday.

They said the political parties involve the children with their programmes alluring them to money, food and amusements.

In some cases they are also forced to attend the political rallies and processions, they added.

As a result, many children drop out of schools, run the risk of involving in criminal activities after being detached from families, and are often physically assaulted, they said.

Saiful Islam, 15, a street child, said, "Once a political leader tempted me to show film stars if I go with him with my friends, but when we went there we saw only some political leaders addressing some audiences, but no hero or heroine."

Shafiqul Islam Shafiq, 16, who hails from Kamalapur, said a political activist beat up and implicated one of his peers with a false case, as he did not join the procession.

He said in many cases the political leaders also threaten them of evicting from the slums if they do not join the procession and other political activities.

"Many children also participate in political programmes, as they are allured to taking part in picketing and vandalising," Shafiq added.

The children, belonging to National Child Task Force (NCTF), an organisation of children, said they would submit a memorandum to Election Commission today demanding formulation of laws to stop involvement of children in political programmes.

After listening to the children, Mahfuz Anam assured them that The Daily Star would promote child rights. Hailing the NCTF awareness building activities, he urged them to continue their campaign.

NCTF members Mamun, Runu Akter, Shahidul Islam Shanta, Hosne Ara Akter, Shafiq, Merina Rahman Rima, Padma Rani Chowdhury, Raihan Ahmmed, and Kanak Rahman Palash were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile a survey by NCTF finds that around 73 per cent of children participate in political activities as they are allured to money and food, while another 37 per cent children think that they take part in such programmes just for pleasure.

The study said 24 per cent children get involved in political activities out of a dream to be a leader in future, while 23 per cent children to get familiarity in the area, 17 per cent to prove themselves important to others and another 11 per cent children participate out of their political leanings.

The NCTF conducted the survey on 664 children of 64 districts.