Teams of civil defence workers or nulias, who supervise safety and rescue operations at tourist beaches in East Midnapore’s Digha, Mandarmani and Tajpur, have complained about the alleged neglect by authorities in helping them stay Covid-proof amid the pandemic.

These beach guards are deployed in the sea and on crowded beaches and respond to any emergency that a tourist might encounter while bathing in the sea. On Monday, members of the civil defence team rescued a seven-year-old Howrah boy from drowning in Digha.

Around 56 nulias, who report to civil defence authorities in Digha have alleged that since March they had not been provided proper PPE or new life jackets by the police or district authorities.

“We are wearing years-old life jackets and are using poorly made masks purchased with our own funds. We expect better treatment from the government and police when we are behind the vital tourist revival over here,” said a nulia in Digha.

He added: “We have to frequently come close to victims of near-drowning or beach accidents. Then, obviously, we can’t afford to think of social distancing norms. Tourists often come drunk to the seaside and create problems that require us to save them or pull them out of the sea. We are risking our lives in a pandemic and the least we can expect is good protection that includes proper masks, gloves and sanitisers. We are poor and cannot afford costly essentials to keep ourselves safe from Covid.”

Nulias rescue a bather in Digha on Tuesday. Anshuman Phadikar

Sources said teams of nulias had already petitioned Digha police and the Digha Sankarpur Development Authority a couple of months ago for required essentials to stay Covid-safe.

“We have not even heard from them (the authorities), let alone get proper gear,” said another nulia as he kept a keen watch on revellers in the sea at Digha. He added that his own life jacket had to be sewn together by his wife after three years of constant use.

District disaster management official Mrityunjay Haldar said his office would be sensitive to the needs of nulias. “We are responsible for their salaries but we have not received any equipment requisitions yet. We will certainly look into it and route their demands through the BDO,” he said.

“We have given civic workers equipment last in March, and they can always come to us with their needs,” added officer-in-charge, Digha police station, Krishnendu Pradhan.