Fifty Bangladeshi nationals detained in India's Tamil Nadu state for illegally entering the country have been repatriated through the Benapole-Petrapole border using travel permits.
They were formally handed over by India's Border Security Force (BSF) to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Benapole-Petrapole zero line on Sunday.
Immigration officials and representatives of relevant agencies from both countries were present during the handover.
According to border sources, the returnees had been held at a special camp in Tamil Nadu's Salem district after being detained from different areas of the state. They were repatriated after their nationality was verified and legal formalities were completed.
The group comprises 44 men and six women. After entering Bangladesh, they were taken to Benapole Immigration Check Post, where officials began completing the necessary legal procedures.
Benapole Immigration Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the returnees' identities and addresses are being reverified. Once the formalities are completed, they will be handed over to their families through due legal process.
SKR / SKS
