Fifty Bangladeshi nationals, including six women, were repatriated from India through the Benapole checkpost last night after serving two years in prison for illegal entry.

The group arrived around 10:00pm when the Indian immigration police formally handed them over to the Benapole Immigration Police using special travel permits. Personnel of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) were present during the handover.

Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the returnees had entered India's Tamil Nadu state through illegal border routes about three and a half years ago in search of work.

"They found employment in shops, hospitals, factories and agricultural fields before being arrested by local police. A court later sentenced them to two years' imprisonment for illegal entry," he said.

After completing their sentences, the Bangladeshis were kept at a special shelter home in Salem district of Tamil Nadu until their nationality was verified and the necessary legal formalities were completed.

The repatriation was carried out following coordination between the home ministries of Bangladesh and India, the OC said.

The returnees are from Khulna, Narail, Satkhira and several other districts.

According to Benapole Immigration Police, the group comprised 44 men and six women. After immigration formalities were completed, they were handed over to Benapole Port Police Station.

Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain said the returnees were later received by the NGOs, Justice and Care and Rights Jashore.

"After completing all legal procedures, Justice and Care took custody of 25 people, while Rights Jashore received the remaining 25. They were taken to the organisations' shelter homes before being reunited with their families," he said.

The two organisations left for Jashore with the returnees at around midnight.