The representatives of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner posted at Kolkata handed over 48 Bangladeshi teenagers who were trafficked to India with assurance of good work at different times through Benapole land port.
On Thursday (June 1) evening, Kolkata Deputy-High Commission Councilor Tusita Chakma handed over the smuggled Bangladeshis to the Benapole Immigration Police at the Zero Line after the formalities of the Petrapol Immigration Police in India. At this time, their relatives gathered at the border to have a glimpse of the returning children.
Justice and Care has received 25 children, Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association 15 children and Rights Jashore 8 children to provide legal assistance to returnee children. Their homes are in different areas of Jashore, Faridpur and Satkhira and Cox's Bazar districts.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Benapole Port Police Station Kamal Hossain Bhuiyan said that after the legal process, they have been handed over to 3 NGOs to be delivered to their respective family.
Rekha Biswas, the program officer of the NGO Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association, said that they have gone to India through brokers on different border routes of the country with the assurance of good work. At that time, the Indian police arrested them and put them to jail on the charge of illegal entry. Later, several Indian human rights organizations took them into custody after they were released from court to provide legal assistance. And with the cooperation of the governments of the two countries, they get the opportunity to return to the country with travel permits.
He also said that if the returned Bangladeshis seek legal assistance after identifying the smugglers, assistance will be provided.