Two women, trafficked into India, return to Bangladesh after two years

Two Bangladeshi women, who spent two years at an Indian detention centre after being allegedly trafficked with the promise of a better life, have returned home.

They were handed over to Bangladesh authorities through the Benapole Land Port in Jashore on Saturday afternoon using a special travel permit, said Immigration Police Inspector (investigation) Syed Mortaza Ali.

Aged between 31 and 35, one of them hails from the capital Dhaka and the other is a resident of Chauhali Upazila of Sirajganj.

Inspector Mortaza said: “They illegally crossed the border to India in 2024 through brokers who lured them with well-paying jobs.”

Indian police arrested them when they were hovering around Mumbai looking for work, Mortaza said, adding that the duo was charged with illegal entry.

Later, on the orders of an Indian court, they were kept in the Navjeevan Mahila Vastigruha, a women's shelter in Mumbai, said the police officer.

Joint coordination between the home ministries of both countries led to their repatriation.

Upon completion of formalities at the border crossing, they were handed over to Benapole Port Police.