C T Online Desk: Twenty-one Bangladeshi men, women, and children returned to the country through the Benapole border last night after serving a two-year imprisonment in India.
They were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police under a special travel permit, said Ibrahim Ahmed, officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration Police.
According to the OC, the individuals had travelled to India through brokers in search of better opportunities two and a half years ago.
They were arrested in Kolkata and later sentenced to two years in prison. Following the completion of their sentences, the home ministries of both countries facilitated their repatriation through Benapole after a series of official correspondences, he added.
The returnees are from Khulna, Bagerhat, Faridpur, Cox’s Bazar, and Narail districts.
Two Jashore-based NGOs — Justice and Care and Rights Jashore — received the returnees from the police. They will be handed over to their families, the OC said.
Abdul Muhith, senior programme officer of Justice and Care, said that the individuals had entered India through various border crossings, misled by brokers promising jobs.
If the returnees identify the traffickers and seek legal assistance, they will be provided support, he added.
