Twelve Bangladeshis, who had illegally entered India two years ago, returned home on Friday after serving time in prison there.

The returnees, who were lured by brokers promising better job opportunities, crossed into India through various borders. Eleven of them are men, and one is a woman.

According to the Benapole Immigration Police, the individuals were handed over by the Petrapole Immigration Police at around 9pm on Friday through a special travel permit. They were brought across the border to Bangladesh’s Benapole check post, where they were formally received.

Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) Imtiaz Bhuiyan said that the group was handed over to the Benapole Immigration Police around 9pm.

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After completing necessary paperwork, they were transferred to the Benapole Port Police Station. Today, a local NGO, Rights Jashore, took the returnees under their care, he added.

The returnees are Ashiqur Rahman (25), Sumon Sarkar (30), Omar Faruk (25), Mizan Sheikh (28), Riazul Islam (25), Belal Molla (28), Sagari Fakir (28), Rabiul Hawlader (25), Moksed Hawlader (30), Rubel Gazi (25), Khalid Hossain (25) and Mosha Regina Khatun (25).

They are residents of different districts, including Gazipur, Narsingdi, Chapainawabganj, Madaripur, Satkhira, Narail, Khulna and Bagerhat.

Rights Jashore’s Psychosocial Counselor Md Mamun said that the individuals had been lured by brokers seeking employment opportunities, but once in India, they faced detention and imprisonment.

With the cooperation of the Indian and Bangladeshi embassies, the Indian government issued special travel permits, allowing the Bangladeshis to return home. On Saturday morning, they were handed over to Rights Jashore, who will provide shelter and eventually reunite them with their families, said Mamun.