The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) formally handed over five Bangladeshi nationals to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) at the Zero Point of the Taluigachha border in Satkhira Sadar upazila on Monday (August 25).

The repatriation was carried out through a flag meeting between the two border forces. 

Later that night, the individuals were transferred to the custody of Satkhira Sadar Police Station.

The repatriated individuals have been identified as Monira Parveen, 47, of Paschim Biralakshi village in Shyamnagar upazila; Rafiqul Islam, 48, of Horinagar village in the same upazila; Shahid Ali, 57, of Gobindapur village in Kaliganj upazila; Robiul Islam, 35, of Benadona village in Kaliganj; and Masum Billah, 30, of Gorimohol village.

Satkhira Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Shaminul Haque said that the five individuals were released to their families later that night after their identities were verified.

Among the returnees, Masum Billah told authorities that they had entered India without passports in search of work and had been residing there for an extended period. 

As circumstances deteriorated, they decided to return to Bangladesh and voluntarily surrendered to the BSF at the Hakimpur camp on the night of August 24.

SMS/