10 Bangladeshis who illegally entered India return via Benapole

Indian authorities on Thursday night sent back as many as 10 Bangladeshis, who had illegally entered the neighbouring country because of economic opportunity.

The seven men and three women were handed over to the Benapole immigration police by India’s Petrapole immigration authorities at the Benapole land border.

The 10 people are Roksana, Mahmuda, Golap Mia, Sakib Hossain, Russel Mia, Ayesha, Nayeem, Khokon, Sagor and Saju, hailing from to Khulna, Narail and Narsingdi districts.

Two NGOs — Rights Jessore and Justice and Care — later took the 10 men and women to their shelters.

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“The victims went to India’s Bengaluru city illegally with the help of brokers in the hope of finding well-paid jobs. Later they all were arrested by the police and sentenced to three years in jail by Indian courts," said Towfiq, field officer of Rights Jessore.

"An Indian NGO later kept them in their shelters after bailing them out. The victims were issued travel permits, following exchange of letters at both the country’s home ministry level," he said.

Officer-in-Charge of Benapole immigration check post Ahsan Habib said the 10 Bangladeshis would need to spend 14 days in institutional quarantine. "After the mandatory isolation period, they will be handed over to their families."