Singh's helicopter, which had left for Kokrajhar from the airbase, developed technical problems midair and was forced to return to Tezpur, a senior police officer said.
Singh, accompanied by his deputy Kiren Rijiju, was delayed by more than hour and could only leave when another chopper returned from Kokrajhar.
The Home Minister, who arrived here last evening, earlier visited Bishwanath Chariali to review the situation following the killing of 46 persons - 43 in attacks by NDFB(S) and three in police firing in Sonitpur district.
Attacks by NDFB(S) and retaliatory violence by Adivasis along with an incident of police firing has claimed 78 lives in Assam so far.