Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who arrived here on Friday amidst the boycott and bandh call of Ulfa hardliners, described himself a migrant who got shelter in Assam.

In a touching and emotional speech, Dr Singh said, “You know that for years I have repeatedly come to this blessed state of Assam to express my profound and heartfelt gratitude to the people of Assam, for the love and affection they have showered on me and my family in electing me to parliament.”

Asserting that he was deeply indebted to the people of Assam, Dr Singh said, “I was born in a distant and dusty village in a part of this sub-continent that is no longer in India. At a tender age I became homeless and a migrant.”

“It is in Assam that I have finally found a home that has given me a sense of belonging. The friendship, the affection and the warmth that each one of you have so readily extended to me is something I cannot and will not ever forget,” he said. Dr Singh, who left for Delhi, also met senior citizens and some select group of editors of local newspapers at Lokpriya Gopi Nath Bordoloi International airport.

However, in view of Ulfa threat Prime Minister was brought to Guwahati by helicopter from the airport and was taken to limited places before he left for New Delhi in the evening.

Mr Singh also had a meeting with Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi and his council of ministers at Rajbhawan.

Earlier, Prime Minister also inaugurated two new facilities for cancer patients at B Barooah Cancer institute.

Meanwhile, 12-hour Assam bandh called by Ulfa hardliners opposing PM’s visit disrupted the normal life all across the state.

Following two bomb blasts on Thursday night, a security alert was sounded throughout the state with police and security forces kept on high alert to thwart any subversive act of Ulfa. The capital city of Guwahati also wore a deserted look as all the shops, educational institutions, schools and business establishments were closed.

Join democratic process, PM urges rebels

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday called upon the militant groups of the northeastern states to join the democratic process for all-round development of Assam.

Addressing the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Dr Singh said, “There is a general realisation today that violence provides no answers and that diverse groups can fulfill their aspirations only through engagement in the democratic processes.”

In an obvious reference to Ulfa hardliners who have called for a 12-hour Assam bandh to oppose the Prime Minister’s Assam visit on Friday, Dr Singh said, “I am sure that the few insurgent groups that continue to remain outside the democratic process will understand the sentiments of the people of Assam and come forward to create an atmosphere that is conducive for accelerating the pace of development.”

Responding to the appeal of Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi to take up issues with Burma, which has become a safe sanctuary for insurgent groups, Dr Singh said, “In recent years, we have taken new initiatives to strengthen our relations with Bangladesh and Burma.”

He said, “Next month I am scheduled to visit Burma. I will discuss with the leadership of Burma how we can increase opportunities for expansion of trade, economic cooperation and connectivity to the larger Asean region.”

Dr Singh, however, lauded the efforts of the Assam government in restoring peace and stability in the state.

“The new wave of development in Assam has been made possible by a period of social peace and political stability,” he said, adding that this feeling has in no small measure resulted from the fact that the government of Assam is working for the people and for their all-round betterment.

He also said, “Assam and the other states of the Northeast can and should play leading roles in our efforts to look eastwards.”