Sources said Indian police with the help of BSF handed over the girls to Benapole immigration authorities.

Police said the girls will be kept at a shelter of Bangladesh Mohila Ainjibi Samity at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital before handing them over to their families.

Indian police had arrested them from different parts of India after they were trafficked to the neighbouring country at different times.

Police produced the girls before the courts, which sent them to safe custody. Later a human rights organisation, Sanglap, took them to its shelter.

The decision to send the girls back home was taken after two NGOs from Bangladesh and India contacted the home ministries of the two countries.

The girls have been identified as Razia Khatun of Shakharagati village under Kotwali Police Station of Jessore, Rehena Khatun and her sister Reshma Khatun of Beri Narayanpur village under Sharsha Police Station of Jessore, Ranjita Khatun alias Rangila of Gogar Rudrapur village, Benapole, Rozina Khatun and Sufia Khatun of Kalikapur village under Kaliganj Police Station of Satkhira, Sabina Khatun of Dhanadia village and Tania of Bhadli village under Kalaroa Police Station of Satkhira, Kakoli Biswas of Baro Gabua village under Galachipa Police Station of Patuakhali, Sabina Akhter of Hoaikang Amtali village under Teknaf Police Station of Cox's Bazar and Kohinur of Khilgaon crossing, Dhaka.