33 Bangladeshi return home after jail term in India

33 Bangladeshi men and women, including four children, have returned home after serving their sentences in India. The Petrapole Immigration Police in India handed them over to the Benapole Immigration Police through travel permits from both countries on Sunday evening (March 22).

The Bangladeshi returnees are from different areas of Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Khulna, Jessore, Narail, Satkhira and Meherpur districts. Among them, there are 8 women and children and 25 men.

The returnees entered India illegally at different times. After serving their sentences, they were in the custody of various safe homes. Later, their citizenship was verified and travel permits were issued and they were brought back.

Justice and Care Area Officer Shafiqul Islam said, "They went to India hoping for a good job after falling into the clutches of brokers. They were arrested by the Indian police while working in various homes in Chennai. From there, a private organization released them and put them in their own shelter home.’

In this regard, Syed Mortaza Hossain, Police Inspector of Benapole International Checkpost Immigration, said that they got the opportunity to return home through a joint initiative of the Indian and Bangladeshi governments. ‘Justice and Care’ organization has taken these returned Bangladeshis into its custody from Benapole Immigration Police to provide legal assistance.