Twelve Bangladeshis, who had illegally entered India two years ago, returned home on Friday after serving time in prison there.
The returnees, included 10 men and two women.
According to the Benapole Immigration Police, the individuals were handed over by the Petrapole Immigration Police at around 9PM on Friday through a special travel permit. They were brought across the border to Bangladesh's Benapole check post, where they were formally received.
After completing necessary paperwork, they were transferred to the Benapole Port Police Station. Today, a local NGO, Rights Jashore, took the returnees under their care, he added.
The returnees are Ashiqur Rahman, 25, Sumon Sarkar, 30, Omar Faruk, 25, Mizan Sheikh, 28, Riazul Islam, 25, Belal Molla, 28, Sagari Fakir, 28, Rabiul Hawlader, 25, Moksed Hawlader, 30, Rubel Gazi, 25, Khalid Hossain, 25 and Mosha Regina Khatun, 25. They are residents of different districts, including Gazipur, Narsingdi, Chapainawabganj, Madaripur, Satkhira, Narail, Khulna and Bagerhat.
Rights Jashore's Psychosocial Counselor Md Mamun said that the individuals had been lured by brokers seeking employment opportunities, but once in India, they faced detention and imprisonment.
With the cooperation of the Indian and Bangladeshi embassies, the Indian government issued special travel permits, allowing the Bangladeshis to return home. On Saturday morning, they were handed over to Rights Jashore, who will provide shelter and eventually reunite them with their families, said Mamun.
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