14 jailed Bangladeshis repatriated from India thru Akhaura

TIMES Report
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The Bangladeshi nationals had been detained at various times in the Indian state of Tripura. Photo: Collected
Highlights
  • The returnees were held in West Tripura’s Narsingarh prison after being sentenced by Indian courts for unlawful entry

Fourteen Bangladeshi nationals, including six women, returned home on Thursday afternoon through the Akhaura International Immigration Checkpost in Brahmanbaria after serving sentences in India for illegal entry.

They had been detained at various times over the past one-and-a-half years in the Indian state of Tripura. The group was formally repatriated at around 1pm via the Agartala-Akhaura border, with arrangements facilitated by the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala.

The returnees were held in West Tripura’s Narsingarh prison after being sentenced by local courts for unlawful entry, according to a press release issued by BRAC Migration Programme.

Following confirmation of their citizenship by the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala and the Indian government’s No Objection Clearance (NOC), the group was sent back to Bangladesh.

The repatriated are: Md Ismail, Harun Mazumder, Papiya Akhter, Liza Khanom, Liza Khatun, Asha Moni, Mofizul Islam, Tahiyatun Nesa, Akhi Islam, Sanjay Sarker, Swapan Sarker, Jishu Kanti Das, Bipul Das, and Shushen Das. They hail from the districts of Feni, Narayanganj, Gopalganj, Narail, Chandpur, Khulna, Netrokona, and Sunamganj.

Officials of BRAC Migration Programme with the repatriated officials at the Akhaura-Agartala Zero Line. Photo: BRAC

Consular Assistant Omar Sharif of Agartala’s assistant high commission, Akhaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer GM Rashedul Islam, Police’s Immigration Officer-in-Charge Abdus Sattar, ICP Camp Commander Anwar Hossain, and officials of the BRAC Migration Programme were present at the border to receive the returnees.

Relatives of the repatriated citizens were also in attendance at the zero line.

Omar Sharif told reporters, “These individuals were arrested by Indian authorities at various times for illegal entry and were sentenced by courts. Today, following the completion of their terms, we are happy to bring them back home.

“Earlier, on May 15, we repatriated 11 Bangladeshi citizens. We continue our efforts to bring back our nationals stranded abroad as soon as their citizenship is verified,” he added.

As part of BRAC’s returnee repatriation process, each returnee received emergency food, psychosocial counselling, and cash for travel expenses. BRAC Deputy Manager Shaila Sharmin said, “We welcomed them at the border and provided essential support. BRAC Migration Programme will continue to support their reintegration into society.

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