Five Bangladeshi women returned home through the Benapole land port on Tuesday night after serving prison sentences in India for illegally entering the country.

The women were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police by Petrapole immigration authorities at around 8:00pm under special travel permits.

The returnees are Papia Akter, Shimu Akter, Sharmin Khatun, Lovely Khatun and Rozina Khatun. They are residents of Jashore, Narail, Bagerhat and Tangail districts.

Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the women had entered India through illegal border routes about four years ago after being lured by brokers with promises of jobs.

They were later arrested while working as domestic workers and sentenced to two to three years' imprisonment for illegal entry.

After completing their sentences, they were kept at a shelter run by an Indian human rights organisation. They were repatriated with the assistance of the Bangladesh and Indian high commissions and under special travel permits issued by the Indian government.

Human rights organisation Justice and Care received the women upon their arrival and will reunite them with their families.

Justice and Care field facilitator in Jashore Shafiqul Islam said the women were taken to a shelter home on Tuesday night and would be handed over to their families on Wednesday.