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The Buddha smiled a cracked smile...

For the people in and around Pokaran, national security is proving to be a thirsty business.

While the second round of tests on May 13 -- which were described as sub-kiloton by the defence spokesman -- were not even felt by people in the neighbouring villages, the earlier tests on May 11, which ranged from the nuclear to the thermonuclear -- have left a few cracks in the equanimity of the natives.

Cracks, too, on the walls of homes within a 20-km radius of the Pokaran test range.

There are approximately 20,000 people living in that area, spread over the six villages of Khetolai, Lathi, Chacha, Dhaulia, Bhadari and Loharki. And the predominant feeling among the populace is, "Why us?"

It isn't like they were entirely clueless about the impending tests. Prior to the first round of testing, army personnel had gone round the six villages, telling the locals to stay indoors between the hours of 2 and 4 in the afternoon of May 11.

Not that the people mind a few cracks in their walls -- at least, not much. What is bothering them more is the cracks in their watertanks, which have left them running short on H20.

Pokaran town -- a cash rich area, thanks to its positioning on the trade route from Jaisalmer -- is not quite as hard hit, thanks to the municipal water supply which keeps their waterpipes active at least eight hours a day.

The villages, however, are dependent on stored water -- and in the desert, the commodity is so precious that natives are known to spend more money on their water tanks than on their homes, the construction of the average tank costing anything from Rs 75,000 to Rs 100,000.

Monday's blasts have knocked a hole in their water supply, and put their very survival at stake. Besides, the natives -- especially the older ones -- have been reporting unexpected aftereffects of the blasts. "We didn't hear anything, but there were continuous tremors for four, five minutes after the blasts," said one native. "And after that, some of our older people, parents and grandparents, they've been complaining of fever and stomach upsets, they think they are being visited by evil spirits."

The younger ones, made aware of the recent tests and its implications via the medium of radio and television, are not too worried about the tremors and the "evil spirits". But with their water supply badly hit, they are finding out the hard way that national security is one heck of a thirsty business.

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