https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

First Woman IGP of Assam Believes in Empathetic Policing

IPS Violet Barua,who just became the first woman IGP of Assam Police, has a string of ‘firsts’ to her name in her long career. An officer who never says no to any assignment, she loves taking up challenges and never misses an opportunity to be at the centre of things, be it communal rioting or sudden cloudburst havoc. With her style of empathetic policing, she manages to strike a chord with the public wherever she goes, earning her the epithet ‘the caring officer.’
Indian Masterminds Stories

Mrs. Violet Baruah is used to being ‘first’ in Assam. First woman DSP. First woman DIG. And now first woman IGP. The 2004-batch IPS officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre was promoted to the rank of Inspector General of Police yesterday, making her the first woman in Assam to hold that position.

In an exclusive interview to Indian Masterminds, the first lady IG of Assam Police talked about her impressive career that have seen her beating many colleagues to important postings and shared how she met the many challenges that came with such responsibilities.

IPS Violet Baruah being felicitated at a public function

NEVER SAID NO TO ANY ASSIGNMENT

The Assam government promoted Mrs. Violet Baruah to the rank of Inspector General of Police with effect from 1 January 2022, making her the first woman ever in this post in the state.

She was also the recipient of President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service this year and had received the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service in 2012.

The Assam Police’s senior most woman IPS officer, who had joined the force in 1992 as a Assam Police Service officer (DSP) and got nominated to IPS in 2004, is currently posted as the Deputy Inspector General of Police (BTAD) in Kokrajhar district.

Celebrating a festival with the public

The 59-year-old officer had earlier served as the Superintendent of Police in four districts – Morigaon, Goalpara, Cachar and Barpeta. She also worked in the CID wing of the Assam Police for a while.

Looking back on her long career, Ms. Baruah said, “I never said no to any posting. Wherever I was sent, I went. Whatever assignment I was given, I took up. Rejecting a task has never been my style of functioning. This is the reason I was away from Guwahati, the HQ of Assam Police, for better part of my service years.”

In United States for training

ON GENDER STREAMLINING

On being asked what took so long for a woman to reach the post of an IG in Assam when, in other states of India, there have been instances of woman reaching the top echelons of the police department, even becoming the DGP, Mrs Baruah opined that it was basically women officers’ reluctance to take up field postings that prevented them from reaching the top.

She said, “Women police officers usually are hesitant to take up field postings as those are very hectic and involve a lot of hard work and work pressure. This leaves very little time for family. Yes, gender empowerment is taking place everywhere, and Assam is no exception. However, what we need now is gender streamlining, so that more and more women break gender barriers and reach the top.”

With husband Pradip Barua

GOALPARA WAS HER BEST POSTING

The senior officer considers her posting as SP Goalpara as her best by far, so far as job satisfaction is concerned. It was here that she faced some major challenges and overcame them gracefully to lead the district strongly as the police chief.

And, she feels now, that being a woman helped as she was naturally more sensitive and empathetic and was well inclined towards caregiving. She fondly recollects a few incidents that are etched in her memory, and which had left a mark in the district as well, where people still remember her as ‘the caring officer’.

“A sudden cloudburst had created havoc in the district. People, livestock, houses were washed away. As the waters receded, dead bodies could be seen lying around everywhere. People were in shock and trauma. I personally went to those places to be amongst the people and supervised the relief work.”

Striking a pose with daughter Urvashi Barua

Similarly, she was the first to reach remote villages in the district when communal tensions were at peak at one point of time and a riot-like situation was taking shape.

“I was advised not to go to those places because of safety reasons. But I still went. When I reached, the people’s fears were somewhat allayed and their resentment assuaged to some extent as they felt the SP had come herself to take stock of their situation. They asked for the DC, and I had to pull up the new DC who had joined for not visiting the affected areas to review the situation.”

IPS Violet Baruah in a voting centre

SHE OPTED NOT TO SHOOT A SURRENDERER

Giving more glimpses of her empathetic nature, Mrs Baruah narrated to Indian Masterminds about an encounter with a young ULFA militant.

“I got news about a young militant holed up deep inside a forest. I went with my team and found him. He was heavily armed when we closed in on him, but I strictly instructed my men not to shoot. I felt that the guy would surrender, and we should give him a chance. After he surrendered, I asked him why he didn’t fire a single shot. His reply stunned me. He said that he felt that since a woman police officer was leading the team, he would not be killed. He felt safe. He felt that a mother was approaching him, and a mother cannot kill.”

Sharing a close moment with son Raktim Pradip Barua

CREDITS CAREER SUCCESS TO FAMILY SUPPORT

Mrs. Baruah credits her family for her career success. Her husband Pradip Barua is a retired Food Corporation of India officer. Her daughter Urvashi is based in New York, pursuing studies in films, while her son Raktim is a computer engineer, with office in Noida.

“The children never complained that their mother was always busy with work and was away from home for long periods. My husband, too, encouraged me to focus on my work and held the fort during my absence. When my daughter was born, he took care of her alone, as I was extremely busy learning the ropes in my very first posting. I could not have reached this far, today, without my family’s support,” she concludes in gratitude.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Prime Toolings dual boosters
India’s New Missile Muscle: Prime Toolings Unveils Dual-Booster Engine to Power Atmanirbhar Defence Drive — Know More Here
AK-203 Sher Rifle
From Russia with Pride: India’s AK-203 Sher Rifle Becomes 100% Made-in-India by December 2025
HAL CATS Warrior
HAL CATS Warrior Manned-Unmanned Teaming Revolution: 2027 Flight to Transform Indian Air Power
Delhi High court
Delhi High Court Welcomes 3 New Judges — Justice Dinesh Mehta & CS Sudha Lead the Power Trio
district judiciary reform
Supreme Court District Judiciary Reform: Can This Historic Case End 35-Year Career Dead-End for Civil Judges?
Delhi High court
ORS Trademark Ban: Delhi HC Says "No License to Deceive Consumers" - Dr Reddy's Challenges FSSAI
8th Pay Commission members
8th Pay Commission Formed: Chairperson Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai to IAS Pankaj Jain – Know More About All Members
BEML,_DPA,_DMRC,_and_Umeandus_Collaborate_
BEML, DPA, DMRC, and UTIPL Collaborate to Launch India’s Advanced Rail-Based Freight System (e-FTS)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
Everybody Needs To Know What Is Transpiring Behind Closed Doors Of Courts
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
UPSC Journey Should Be Enjoyable, Not Cumbersome
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Prime Toolings dual boosters
India’s New Missile Muscle: Prime Toolings Unveils Dual-Booster Engine to Power Atmanirbhar Defence Drive — Know More Here
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-27 at 20.08
UPSC @100 – Reforms, Reflections and the Road Ahead
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Gokul S
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-23 at 10.40
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-19 at 12.23
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT