11 Bangladeshis return from India after serving jail terms for illegal entry

Eleven Bangladeshi nationals returned home through the Akhaura International Immigration Checkpost today after serving jail terms in India for illegal border crossing.

They were handed over to police at the Akhaura International Immigration Checkpost around 2:00pm by Indian authorities from Agartala, the capital of Tripura, with support from the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission there, said its first secretary, Almas Hossain.

The returnees had been detained seven to eight months ago for illegal entry, he said.

"They served their sentences and were kept in a temporary detention centre. Once we received their details, we coordinated with the Bangladesh government to verify their citizenship. After confirmation, we arranged for their repatriation," he added.

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The returnees, who hail from districts including Cumilla, Feni, Bagerhat, Rajshahi, and Chapainawabganj, had reportedly entered India through unauthorised channels after being trafficked and were later arrested by Indian police.

Most of them served jail terms of eight to nine months, according to officials.

Those repatriated include Farzana Ahmed Nipa, Md Ibrahim, Helal Zomaddar, Md Akramul Islam, Kabir Sheikh, Rahul Sheikh, Md Ashraful Haque, Suman Rana, Bodrul Islam, Md Abdul Mannan, and Md Ruhul Amin.

Officials from both sides were present during the handover.

Alongside First Secretary Almas were Consular Assistant Omar Sharif and Akhaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md GM Rashedul Islam.

Families of the returnees expressed relief.

Md Belal Zomaddar, brother of returnee Helal, said, "My brother left home eight months ago looking for work. Later, we found out he had been detained in India. We are overwhelmed to have him back."

Rabeya Akhter, mother of Farzana, said her daughter had travelled with a friend but was detained upon entering India.

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"Her return has filled the void in our lives," she said.

Md Ruhul Amin from Chapainawabganj recounted being taken to India by traffickers with the promise of work.

"I was offered a job in construction but ended up in prison for six months and spent another two and a half months in a safe home," he said. "I can't express how happy I am to be back."