36 Bangladeshis return home after release from Indian prison

A total of 36 Bangladeshi youths returned home after being released from prisons in India, ending nearly 17 months of detention.

The group was handed over to Bangladeshi authorities through the Petrapole Border Checkpost around 7:00pm by Indian police before entering Bangladesh via the Benapole border on Thursday evening (May 28).

The returnees are residents of several districts, including Bogura, Khulna, Natore, Chattogram, Dhaka and Cumilla.

According to the youths, they were lured to India by trafficking agents with promises of jobs in garment factories.

After entering India illegally, they were later arrested by Indian police on charges of unauthorized entry and subsequently sent to Chennai Central Prison through court orders.

Following lengthy legal procedures, the youths were finally released and repatriated to Bangladesh. After completing immigration formalities, they were handed over in the presence of Benapole Port Police Station officials to human rights organisation Justice and Care.

Several returnees alleged that money had been taken from them multiple times with promises of arranging their release and return home.

One of the youths, requesting anonymity, said, “I went to India for work. It feels good to be released from prison, but many people took money in the name of helping us get freed.”

Shoriful Islam, a field officer of Justice and Care, said the victims had been trafficked to India by brokers under false job promises and later became victims of exploitation and legal complications.

Officials said that since all 36 returnees are adults, they were allowed to leave for their respective homes after receiving necessary support and documentation.

Sub-Inspector Tapas Kumar Adhya of Benapole Port Police Station confirmed that legal assistance had been provided to the returnees upon arrival.

Representatives from immigration police, Border Guard Bangladesh, local administration, social services and human rights organizations were present during the handover process.