24 Bangladeshis Return Home After Completing Jail Term in India

Twenty-four Bangladeshi nationals, including 11 women, have returned home after completing a two-year prison sentence in India. They were handed over to Bangladesh immigration authorities at the Benapole check post on Wednesday night, according to reports from UNB.

The individuals, hailing from various districts such as Narail, Chattogram, Thakurgaon, Cumilla, Gopalganj, Tangail, Cox’s Bazar, and Patuakhali, had traveled to India illegally in search of work with the help of local brokers. They were arrested by Kolkata police, who charged them with trespassing. A court sentenced each of them to two years in prison for crossing the border without valid documents.

After serving their sentences, the Indian police transferred them to the Benapole check post immigration authorities. From there, they were handed over to a representative of a human rights organization in Jashore, who assisted in returning them to their families.

Abul Bashar, officer-in-charge of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police, explained that the group had been lured by promises of jobs in India. However, they were arrested while traveling to Bangalore and subsequently sentenced for their illegal border crossing.