Benapole, Bangladesh: Five Bangladeshi women have returned home through the Benapole border after serving nearly two and a half years in Indian prisons for illegally entering the neighboring country after allegedly being lured by human traffickers.
The women were handed over to Bangladeshi authorities by the Indian Immigration Police on Tuesday (July 28) evening using special travel permits.
Officials from the Border Security Force (BSF), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and law enforcement agencies of both countries were present during the handover at the no-man's land between the two nations.
The returnees have been identified as Shimu Akter (26) and Sharmin Khatun (30) from Bagerhat, Papia Badsha (24) from Tangail, Lovely Khatun (25) from Jashore, and Rozina Khatun (23) from Narail.
Benapole Immigration Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the women had traveled to India without passports or visas after falling victim to promises made by traffickers. They were later arrested by Indian authorities for illegal entry and remained imprisoned for approximately two and a half years.
Following coordination between the foreign ministries of Bangladesh and India, the women were repatriated through the Benapole border using special travel permits.
Muhit Chowdhury, Area Coordinator of Jashore Justice and Care, said the women would be temporarily accommodated at the organization's shelter home in Jashore before being reunited with their families after completing the necessary formalities.
