The Centre-State kerfuffle over the deployment of central forces in Darjeeling, prompting the intervention of Calcutta High Court, has regretfully overshadowed the enormity of the tragedy on the bank of the district’s Chota Rangeet river.

The death of sub-inspector Amitava Malik symbolises the mortal danger of police operations in inhospitable terrain. As much is the fineprint of the versions advanced by senior officers who have been based in Darjeeling for the past four months. A not dissimilar unfamiliarity with the topography had led to disasters in the Maoist belt, notably in Dantewada. The other factor, which has deepened the tragedy, is the palpable failure of intelligence.

Were authorities convinced that Bimal Gurung was hiding at Barnesbeg? Were they aware of the massive arms build-up considering the seizure of ammunition in the immediate aftermath of Malik’s killing? By any reckoning, the operation was fraught with danger. Answers to these questions may not be forthcoming anytime soon.

Suffice it to register that the police force, beefed up in the higher echelons from SP to ADG, was quite clueless about the powder-keg. Not that the police was outnumbered by the GJMM activists loyal to Gurung; in terms of strategy, however, the security network has lost the battle against sub-regional jingoists.

One could argue that the Intelligence feedback must have been as inadequate as in the first week of June this year when a state cabinet meeting at Darjeeling’s Raj Bhavan ~ the summer resort of the Governor ~ had provoked the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha to go on the rampage.

Nay more, to raise the emotive issue of a three-language formula in schools; markedly, the pitch for statehood was renewed later. Police vehicles were burned at the chowk ~ a testament to the fact that the state’s police was caught unprepared. It is clear though that Gurung is on the run. It is also clear from the cache of arms seized in the police operation that his supporters and he have stepped out of the bounds of peaceful protest that occasionally verges on violence to a full-fledged armed insurrection. No longer can Gurung or his supporters claim their agitation is peaceful or democratic.

The ferment in the hills simmers and while things might be better than they were a few weeks ago because of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s determined stand, we are still some distance away from normality. Certainly, it is isn’t time for reduction in force levels ~ Central or state. If anything, efforts must be redoubled to bring Gurung to book.

Tea has come a cropper and tourism ~ the region’s other staple ~ has been devastated. The economy of the hills lies shattered and urgent efforts are needed to restart lives. Darjeeling demands vigorous policing…not another bout of discord over federal entitlement.