Dig deeper, you'll find their roots run much deeper: Umama

After the arrest of five individuals, including leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, for extortion at the home of Awami League leader and former MP Shammi Ahmed in Gulshan, Umama Fatema, the former leader of the organization, took to social media. She wrote, "This is the first time they’ve been caught red-handed by the police. If you dig properly, you’ll see their roots run much deeper."

Umama shared a post on her verified Facebook page on Saturday night, along with a photo of the five individuals who were arrested. The post is as follows:

"Upon hearing the news of the arrest of five individuals linked to the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement for extortion, my acquaintances seem so shocked, but I honestly feel like I’m the least surprised.

These young men have always been seen accompanying the leaders—whether at the secretariat, during rallies and processions, or even in conflicts. They were always there, acting as the coordinators’ close allies. Internally, there have been numerous allegations against them regarding their involvement in the gang culture of Gulshan-Banani.

The man named Riyad in this photo acted completely audacious right in front of me at the Rupayan Tower last December. When we, as women, tried to stop him, he turned on us instead. After that incident, I looked into his background and discovered that he already had several allegations against him, including threats, assault, and extortion.

I wasn’t surprised at all, because by then, it was clear that individuals like him were involved at every level of the Anti-Discrimination Movement. They would come and go freely at the Rupayan Tower.

If anyone raised concerns about their corruption or misconduct, they were met with complete silence. I witnessed firsthand how these individuals gained access to everything by the end of the day. Now, looking back at this platform after all these months, I struggle to find the right words. Everyone did their part in corrupting the platform in whatever way they could.

And now, seeing everyone around me so shocked by the news of the extortion today, I can’t help but find the situation somewhat humorous.

Oh, how innocent these people are! It seems they’ve just now, like newborns, realized how these men could be involved in extortion today. I’m truly sorry, my friends, but I have to say—this is the first time they’ve been caught red-handed by the police. If you dig properly, you’ll see their roots run much deeper."