Visakhapatnam, Nov 9: Paying tribute to renowned freedom fighter of Manipur, the Indian Coast Guard launched its fourth in-shore patrol vessel christned `Rani Gaidinliu`at Vishakapatnam shipyard on saturday.
The vessel, fourth of the five such vehicles being built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), was launched by Punam Mathur, wife of Central Excise, Customs and Services Tax Chief Commissioner Chandrahas Mathur.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Mathur said overall growth in the maritime and security scenario post 26/11 had warranted extensive patrolling and enhanced surveillance along the coast. The threats were real and the response to such situation should be fast and effective, he added.
HSL Chairman and Managing Director Naresh Kumar said the vessel, developed in coordination with the Coast Guard, would significantly add to the country`s coastal surveillance capability.
“The in-shore patrol vessel cost Rs 60 crore. The HSL is building these vessels at a cost of Rs 235 crore. The fourth vessel is fully developed and the fifth and last one will be delivered by the year end,“ he added. The status of the IPV Rani Gaidinliu are 51.15 metres of length, 8.36 metres breadth, 4.55 metres depth and can bear 275 tons and has a top speed of 34 knots(62.9 km/hr).
Coast Guard Deputy Inspector General R M Sharma said the CG`s growth and maritime development would gain immensely from the state-of-the-art vessels. The government had approved a large fleet of vessels for induction into the Coast Guard, he added. Rani Gaidinliu was one of the active participants in the fight for freedom from British rule in India. Born in Longkao village of Manipur She joined freedom struggle at the age of 13. She led a socio-political movement to drive out the British from Manipur and Naga areas.
She was arrested in 1932 at the age of 16 and imprisoned for life. She was freed in 1947 after India gained freedom.
After her release she continued to work for the uplift of her people. She organised a resistance movement against the Naga National Council (NNC)-led insurgents in 1966 and had to go underground. She was honoured as a freedom fighter and was also awarded a Padma Bhushan. Rani Gaidinliu died in 1993. The Government of India issued a postal stamp in her memory.
