Ati Nurbaiti, Banda Aceh – After three decades of absence, Aceh's former resistance leader Hassan Di Tiro arrived in Banda Aceh in Saturday to a cheerful greeting by thousands of his supporters.

Tiro landed at 11 a.m. to sound of adzan (Muslim calling for prayers) by the greeters, waving to claps of cheering crowds.

He was accompanied by former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) leaders, including Malik Mahmood, Zaini Abdullah and Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf. Tiro flew in using a chartered flight from Kuala Lumpur, where he met with former GAM leaders.

Tiro cried as he was hugged by his only living sister, Aisyah, after being corralled by flower wreath and powdered with flour in a traditional welcome.

Strict arrangements gave way to raucous convoy immediately headed to town, accompanied by two trucks full of percussion groups with the drums hanging from the metal bars.

Former GAM prisoners waved banners near the governor's residence, the venue to welcome Tiro, demanding release of remaining convicts.

Heavy congestion and big crowds jammed the way to Baiturrahman Grand Masque, the third venue to greet Tiro. For the meantime the waiting crowds had to be contended with a written speech read out by Malik Mahmood at the main mosque where Tiro came for noon prayers.

Tiro then was greeted at pendopo or government official residence. After brief performance by dancers Tiro was escorted to closed meeting with Governor Irwandi and other dignitaries

Organizers from the Aceh Transition Committee (KPA) are working with the police to keep order. Military tanks and personnel tucked away in a square near a local military office.

Earlier in the airport, a former GAM spokesman Bakhtiar Abdullah, said that after 29 years, Tiro would be "overwhelmed" by his return and by the reception.

"He is returning to a much changed Aceh," Bachtiar said: an Aceh after the conflict, the tsunami and the peace agreement between GAM and the Indonesian government although the implementation was lacking.

Well-wishers and critics, who fear possible revival of independence aspiration with Tiro's visit, say at least his visit should encourage Acehnese to work harder for peace and welfare.

"Some of us have jobs, some don't," said Usman, one of the greeters on the tarmac who were mostly former GAM militia members.