Six Bangladeshi youths who were trafficked to India returned home on Thursday after serving three years in prison for illegal entry.

The returnees were identified as Jahangir Alam, 21, Abdul Karim, 25, Mohammad Ali, 26, Sabbir Islam, 26, Hafizur, 26, and Abdul Sabur, 40. They are from Gazipur, Bogura, Sunamganj and Cox’s Bazar districts.

They were handed over to Benapole Immigration Police by Indian immigration authorities at the Petrapole border through a special travel permit in the afternoon.

Benapole Immigration Police Officer-in-Charge Saifur Rahman said the six youths had travelled illegally to Jammu and Kashmir in India about four years ago through the Satkhira and Sylhet borders after falling into the hands of human traffickers in search of better job opportunities.

They worked as labourers there before being arrested by Indian police and sent to court. A court later sentenced them to three years in prison for illegal entry..

OC Saifur said the six returnees were handed over to Benapole Port Police after completing immigration formalities. The human rights organisation Justice and Care will take them into its custody and arrange their reunion with their families.

Muhit Hossain, deputy manager of Justice and Care in Jashore, said the organisation had received the six youths from Benapole Port Police and placed them at its shelter home.

They will be handed over to their respective families on Friday, he added.