Cargo handling activities at the city's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport remained suspended for half an hour yesterday after workers of C&F agents stopped work, protesting detention of seven fellow workers by Armed Police Battalion (APBn).

The law enforcers picked up seven workers around 3:30pm when they were entering Biman's cargo village without any pass from the authorities, an APBn official said.

The activities resumed around 4:00pm after the Biman authorities had the detained workers released and assured the protestors of finding out a solution for their entry to cargo village next week.

President of C&F agents association Shahjahan Mondol said the APBn personnel detained the workers despite their having custom pass and being well known.

A top APBn official wishing anonymity said that as a recent meeting of the high-ups asked them to tighten security and not to allow anyone without valid pass in the wake of repeated allegation of stealing from Cargo warehouses, the APBn detained the workers.

He also said the detainees told them that once they were Biman staff and using that identity, they used to enter the restricted area and help find out goods in exchange for tips.