1999 Pisay village attack

The 1999 Pisay village attack was an armed confrontation in Pisay (also known as a tola of Chanda or Chanda Tola Pisay), a small village in Aurangabad district, Bihar, India, during the summer months of April, May, or June 1999. A group of approximately 500 Naxalites, including individuals from other states and local participants, attempted to overrun the village. Villagers, armed with a limited number of licensed firearms, organised a defence that lasted around six hours. The attack ended after police intervention, with casualties reported on both sides.

Background

Pisay is a small settlement, administratively counted as an extension of the nearby village of Chanda. It had no prior history of similar incidents. Local accounts indicate that suspicious movements were observed in the outer areas of the village in the days leading up to the attack. An elderly woman, whose house was located at the front corner of the village (technically the first house), noticed these activities.

The attack

The day began normally, with villagers engaged in daily work. Youths in the village attempted to organise a public gathering at the old Durga Asthan near the Shiv Mandir to watch a cricket match on television. Due to technical glitches with the television, the gathering was cancelled, and the youths dispersed.

Around 6:00 PM, a local resident referred to as "Boss" arrived shouting warnings that a "party" (Naxalites) had come from the nearby bigha, an area later abandoned by its native Scheduled Caste community. Some accounts claim Boss was informed by the elderly woman to escape, while others state he observed the Naxalite movements himself. Boss hid while escaping the bigha and reached the village to alert residents that Naxalites had surrounded the settlement.

Villagers initially hid in their houses and gathered resources, including licensed arms, for defence. Youths took forward positions to prevent the Naxalites from entering. Due to the small population, villagers coordinated to fortify the village, with individuals maintaining at least three posts or fronts by running between positions to create the illusion of greater numbers. They quickly realised the fight was for survival and began retaliating.

The Naxalite group numbered around 500, comprising individuals from other states ("foreigners") and local people. Approximately 80–90 were armed, while others managed ammunition by loading and unloading, or joined for potential looting after a massacre. Local participants were reportedly convinced that the Naxalites would massacre the entire village, prompting them to join for loot and to boost Naxalite morale.

Both sides exchanged fire along with verbal and abusive arguments. Villagers' proclamations included "Pathwa Hanuman ki jai", "Budwa Mahade ki jai", and "Devi jee ki jai". Attempts to contact police failed due to the rarity and high cost of phones at the time, combined with poor network coverage. Villagers fired accurately enough to cause damage, as blood stains were later found at Naxalite positions.

Naxalites were well-coordinated, with their leader using torch flashes to signal allies. When the torch was turned off, firing stopped to create confusion or the impression that they had withdrawn, only to resume from new positions. The village lacked electricity, with moonlight as the primary light source. On one side, a villager started a tractor and used its headlights to monitor the attackers. On another side, paddy stubble was set on fire to improve visibility.

After continuous firing for about six hours, Naxalites entered the village from one point. They assaulted women and children in several houses. In one house, abandoned by its family who had prepared fish curry, the attackers ate the curry and then blew up the house using landmines.

A Naxalite reportedly turned rebellious and went to Pokhta to seek assistance from Obra police. Police arrived but initially stayed at a distance to observe the number of Naxalites. The Superintendent of Police (SP) later arrived (according to locals), ignited a flare, and the Naxalites began retreating while proclaiming slogans (nara).

Casualties

Casualties occurred on both sides. One villager died on a rooftop, either while abusing the Naxalites or calling his servant. Some women were injured by a hand grenade on a rooftop while switching positions between roofs. One house was destroyed by landmines. Blood stains were found at multiple Naxalite fighting positions after the incident.

Aftermath

Villagers discovered a red bag on a banyan tree containing nalis (around 8 inches long, intended for crucifying villagers), kaata (axes), and katar (small sword-like structures). These were interpreted as tools for crucifixion and decapitation.

Several days later, Brahmeshwar Mukhiya, leader of the Ranvir Sena, visited and offered assistance for retaliation. Villagers refused to prevent further escalation.