Five Bangladeshi women returned home through Benapole land port on Tuesday night after serving prison sentences in India for illegal entry.
They were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police by Petrapole immigration authorities at around 8pm under special travel permits.
The returnees are Papia Akter, Shimu Akter, Sharmin Khatun, Lovely Khatun and Rozina Khatun. They are from the districts of Jashore, Narail, Bagerhat and Tangail.
Saifur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration Police, said the women had entered India through border routes around four years ago after being lured by brokers with promises of jobs.
They were later arrested while working as domestic helpers and sentenced to between two and three years in prison on charges of illegal entry.
After completing their sentences, they were kept at a shelter home by an Indian human rights organisation. They were repatriated with the cooperation of the Bangladesh and Indian high commissions and under a special travel permit issued by the Indian government.
Human rights organisation Justice and Care received the women upon their return and will hand them over to their families.
Shafiqul Islam, a field facilitator of Justice and Care in Jashore, said the women were taken to a shelter home on Tuesday night and would be reunited with their families on Wednesday.
