Personality

Yamin Hazarika Biography - Assam's First Woman Police Officer, Ips Officer, Career & Achievements

Yamin Hazarika (1956-1999) was a pioneering police officer who became the first woman police officer from Assam and one of the earliest women from Northeast India to serve in Indian law enforcement. Through determination, courage and exceptional leadership, she broke barriers in a profession traditionally dominated by men. Her distinguished career with the Delhi Police, commitment to women's safety and dedication as a single mother made her a role model for countless young women. Today, Yamin Hazarika is remembered as a symbol of courage, integrity and women's empowerment in Assam and across India.
Yamin Hazarika Biography from Assam

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Life & Legacy

Early Life

Yamin Hazarika was born in 1956 into an educated Assamese family in Guwahati, Assam. She was the second of five children born to Sirajul Hussain Hazarika, who served as a Deputy Excise Commissioner in pre-independence Sylhet, and Shameem Hazarika. She spent her childhood in the Lakhtokia area of Guwahati and grew up in an environment that encouraged education, discipline and independent thinking.

Education

Yamin completed her schooling in Guwahati and Shillong before moving to New Delhi for higher education. She graduated with a degree in History from the prestigious Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, in 1975. After returning to Assam, she pursued a law degree while simultaneously preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. Her determination resulted in qualifying for the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS), marking the beginning of an extraordinary career in policing.

Police Career

Yamin Hazarika joined the DANIPS cadre in 1979 and became the first woman police officer from Assam. She underwent professional police training at the Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur, where she met IPS officer Rajeev Sagar. Although their marriage later ended, Yamin successfully balanced the demanding responsibilities of police service while raising her two children as a single mother.

Her first posting was as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Over the years, she served in several important policing assignments and earned recognition for her professionalism, honesty and administrative ability. She later became Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in the Crimes Against Women Cell of Delhi Police, where she worked extensively on cases involving women's safety, domestic violence and gender-based crimes.

In 1996, she was promoted to the Indian Police Service (IPS), becoming one of the few women officers from the Northeast to reach this prestigious rank during that period.

International Service

Yamin Hazarika also represented India internationally by serving in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. Her overseas assignment reflected her professional competence and the confidence placed in her abilities as a senior police officer. Her contribution demonstrated that officers from Assam could successfully represent India on global platforms.

Major Achievements

  • First woman police officer from Assam.
  • Among the earliest women police officers from Northeast India.
  • Qualified for the DANIPS cadre through the UPSC examination.
  • Promoted to the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1996.
  • Served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in Delhi.
  • Served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crimes Against Women Cell, Delhi Police.
  • Participated in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.
  • Successfully balanced a demanding police career while raising two children as a single mother.
  • Inspired generations of women to pursue careers in police and civil services.

Positions Held

  • Officer, Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS)
  • Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Delhi Police
  • Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Crimes Against Women Cell, Delhi Police
  • Indian Police Service (IPS) Officer (Promoted in 1996)
  • United Nations Peacekeeping Mission Officer in Bosnia

Awards and Recognition

Although no major national civilian awards were officially conferred upon Yamin Hazarika during her lifetime, she remains widely recognized as one of Assam's pioneering women police officers. In her memory, the Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award was established to honour outstanding women who have made significant contributions in fields such as literature, arts, education, social service and public life. The award continues to celebrate her enduring legacy of courage, leadership and public service.

Personal Life

Yamin Hazarika married IPS officer Rajeev Sagar during her police training. Although the marriage later ended, she independently raised her two children, Huma and Vikram. Despite the pressures of a demanding career, she remained a devoted mother and instilled values of discipline, compassion and integrity in her children. Her ability to successfully manage both professional and personal responsibilities made her an inspiration to working women across India.

Death

Yamin Hazarika passed away on 24 July 1999 after battling leukemia (blood cancer). She was only 43 years old. Her untimely demise was a significant loss to Indian policing and the people of Assam. Even decades after her passing, she continues to inspire aspiring police officers, civil servants and women professionals who seek to break barriers through determination and public service.

FAQs about Yamin Hazarika

1. Who was Yamin Hazarika?

Yamin Hazarika was Assam's first woman police officer and a pioneering IPS officer who served with distinction in the Delhi Police.

2. Why is Yamin Hazarika famous?

She is famous for becoming the first woman police officer from Assam, serving as a senior Delhi Police officer and inspiring women to join law enforcement.

3. When was Yamin Hazarika born?

Yamin Hazarika was born in 1956 in Guwahati, Assam.

4. What was Yamin Hazarika's educational background?

She completed her schooling in Guwahati and Shillong, graduated in History from Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi University, and later studied law while preparing for the UPSC examination.

5. Which police service did Yamin Hazarika join?

She joined the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) and was promoted to the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1996.

6. What important positions were held by Yamin Hazarika?

She served as Assistant Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Crimes Against Women Cell of Delhi Police and also participated in a United Nations peacekeeping mission.

7. What is the Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award?

It is an award established in her memory to honour outstanding women who have made remarkable contributions in literature, arts, education, social service and public life.

8. Did Yamin Hazarika serve in the United Nations?

Yes. She served as part of a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, representing India internationally.

9. Did Yamin Hazarika write any books?

No officially published books authored by Yamin Hazarika have been documented.

10. When did Yamin Hazarika die?

Yamin Hazarika passed away on 24 July 1999 after battling leukemia, leaving behind an inspiring legacy in Indian policing and women's empowerment.

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