Nine Bangladeshis returned home from India through the Benapole land port today after serving two and a half years in prison there for illegal entry.

The returnees are three women, two children and four men from Narail, Khulna and Barishal districts, said Saifur Rahman, officer-in-charge (OC) of Benapole Checkpost Immigration Police.

Around 7:10pm, India’s Petrapole Immigration Police handed over the Bangladeshis to Benapole Immigration Police through special travel permits issued by the Indian government, the OC said.

Members of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Border Security Force (BSF), customs, police and intelligence agencies of both countries were present at the time.

After completion of all formalities, they will be handed over to Benapole Port Police Station on Saturday night, said the OC.

OC Saifur also said the nine Bangladeshis had gone to Kolkata illegally two years ago in search of jobs.

Indian police arrested them on charges of illegal entry, the OC said.

Later, a court sentenced them to two and a half years in prison and sent them to jail, he added.

After completing their sentences, an Indian rights organisation rescued them and kept them in a shelter home. Following administrative procedures between the two countries, they returned under special travel permits and were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police, he added.

Shafiqul Islam, a field worker for Justice & Care in Jashore, said the rights organisation took charge of the returnees from the police station to facilitate their reunification with their respective families.