Kolkata: Forty-seven Bangladeshi nationals were repatriated through Petrapole-Benapole border near Bongaon in North 24-Parganas on Friday after being accused of entering India illegally. They were handed over to Bangladeshi authorities at the zero line on special travel permits amid tight security by border forces of both countries.According to sources, the 47 Bangladeshis had entered India through various routes and travelled to different states for work. “They were eventually apprehended by police in different parts of the country and brought to Bengal from neighbouring Odisha, where their identities and documents were verified before repatriation,” a senior district administrative official said.Security was stepped up in the border area during the handover, which was completed in the presence of Bongaon district police. Surveillance has since been intensified.Confirming the development, Bongaon SP Bidisha Kalita Dasgupta told TOI the repatriation process was routed through Petrapole police station on Friday.
