Thirty-six Bangladeshi youths returned home through the Benapole border on Thursday night after completing prison sentences in India for illegally entering the country in search of work.
The returnees, who came from districts including Bogura, Khulna, Natore, Chattogram, Dhaka and Cumilla, were handed over to Bangladeshi authorities by Indian immigration officials at the Petrapole border crossing around 9:00pm.
According to Benapole Immigration Police, the youths had travelled to Chennai through illegal channels arranged by human traffickers, hoping to secure better employment opportunities.
Inspector Syed Mortaza Ali of Benapole Immigration Police said the group was later arrested by Indian authorities on charges of illegal entry. An Indian court subsequently sentenced them to 17 months in prison.
After completing their jail terms at Chennai Central Prison, the youths were transferred to a shelter home operated by a human rights organisation while repatriation procedures were underway.
Officials said the return was facilitated through cooperation between the Bangladeshi and Indian high commissions, with the Indian government issuing special travel permits for their return.
Following immigration formalities at the border, the returnees were handed over to Benapole Port Police Station.
Representatives of the rights-based organisation Justice and Care said the youths had been promised jobs in Indian garment factories by traffickers but later became victims of deception and exploitation.
The organisation said it has taken responsibility for the returnees and will reunite them with their families on Friday.
Human trafficking remains a persistent challenge in the region, with many job seekers falling prey to false promises of employment abroad through illegal migration routes.
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