By Sumayia Ali(India),Sarah Kazmi(Pakistan)
Quetta (London Post) – On 11 May, 1998, India conducted a series of five nuclear explosions, at the end of which its government led by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced the country as a full-fledged nuclear state.｜JAPANESE｜TURKISH｜
In response, Pakistan successfully conducted five nuclear tests just a week after it on 28 May.
South Asia became a flashpoint of nuclear capacity. Decades later, what remains unheard is the struggle of people affected by inhabitants near the nuclear test sites in both nations.
India: Residents near nuclear test site complain of skin irritation, cancer cases
India celebrates 11 May as “National Technology Day” . It held its first nuclear tests in 1974 in Pokhran situated in the northern state of Rajasthan. News website Scroll reports that villagers commonly complain about cancer cases, genetic and skin diseases in cattle.
London Post spoke to Hemantt Khetolai, a resident of Pokhran village.
Khetolai says that although the relation of cancer cases and the nuclear test cannot be proved, around 25 people in his social circle have cancer.
Another report by The Caravan underscores the health complications faced by the villagers after the nuclear tests were conducted, such as blood cancer, skin irritation and burning of eyes.
Khetolai adds that only journalists visit the affected villages, and the government has not come to their rescue.
He shares that the villages which were affected by nuclear test sites remain void of basic services like a functional hospital. Deformity in calves and cows dying of unexplained reasons is common but the impact cannot be proved to be a reason for nuclear radiations, news website The Citizen reports.
The villages in Rajasthan where tests took place are Chacha, Khetolai, Loharki, and Odhaniya.
“There is a general understanding to be proud and not complain”, Khetolai says.
Pakistan: Damaging effect on environment and human life
By Sarah Kazmi(Quetta)
Pakistan conducted the atomic tests in the remote mountains of Raskoh, Chagai. Although the achievement brought pride to the nation, it left a scar on the communities near the test site—an issue that remains largely unaddressed to this day.
The term Raskoh originates from the Balochi language: “Ras” meaning “path” and “Koh” meaning “mountain.” The area, often referred to as the “Gateway of the Mountains,” borders Chagai and Kharan districts. Before the tests, Raskoh’s serene environment, lush greenery, and vibrant villages provided a livelihood for over two dozen settlements nestled in this mountainous region.
Following the nuclear explosions, the tranquility was replaced by despair. Radiation effects led to health crises, with locals reporting cancers, kidney failures, and skin diseases. Over 500 deaths have been attributed to these issues. Many residents, unable to bear the adverse conditions, migrated to nearby urban centers like Kharan, leaving their ancestral lands behind.
Environmental degradation compounded the problem. Fertile lands and water sources, once the backbone of agriculture in the region, turned barren. Natural springs dried up, and the once-thriving orchards and fields of dates, grapes, onions, and wheat became desolate. The impact on agriculture was so severe that traditional farming communities were forced to abandon their homes in search of livelihoods elsewhere.
Despite these sacrifices, the government has largely neglected the affected communities. No hospitals, cancer treatment centers, or even basic healthcare facilities have been established in the region. Residents, many of whom live in extreme poverty, struggle to access treatment, often traveling long distances to Quetta or beyond for inadequate medical care.
The absence of clean drinking water remains a pressing concern. Efforts by private individuals, like a filtration plant installed by an army officer, are the sole lifeline for some villages. However, the majority of the population remains without access to safe water.
Decades later, the long-term effects of radiation exposure are becoming evident in the form of birth defects and disabilities among children born in the region. However, no official studies or investigations have been conducted to quantify or mitigate these impacts.
Promises of development made at the time of the tests remain unfulfilled. Kharan and Chagai continue to languish in poverty, with minimal government investment in infrastructure, education, or industry. The absence of electricity, functioning schools, and basic roads further isolates these regions.
Raskoh residents have repeatedly called for recognition of their sacrifices. They demand scholarships for their children, modern healthcare facilities, and economic development initiatives. The mountains of Raskoh, home to rich mineral deposits, could serve as a catalyst for the region’s revival if managed responsibly.
The atomic tests brought prestige to Pakistan but left Raskoh’s communities burdened with health, environmental, and economic challenges. Residents feel their sacrifices have been ignored and their voices silenced. As one local political leader Mr.Parvez Rind put it, “We bore the brunt of this nuclear achievement on our chests, but the government turned its back on us.”
Two decades on, the people of Raskoh continue to wait for the acknowledgment and support they deserve. The question remains: Can the state redeem itself and honor the resilience of these forgotten communities?
This article is produced to you by London Post, in collaboration with INPS Japan and Soka Gakkai International, in consultative status with UN ECOSOC.