'Iron Lady of Manipur' Irom Sharmila, who has been on a fast for the past eight years to demand the withdrawal of the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur, has been re-arrested, police said on Tuesday.

Sharmila, who was released on March 7 by a local court, was re-arrested on Monday on charges of attempted suicide, after she went on hunger-strike again, they said.

Sharmila had begun her fast unto death in 2001 after Assam Rifles personnel allegedly killed nine innocent persons in an encounter with insurgents. Since then, she has been arrested, released and re-arrested from time to time.

The J N district hospital in Imphal, where she has been kept, has been converted into a jail.

Sharmila has been fed with a nasal drip in custody, sources said. Several civil society organisations have been supporting Sharmila's demand for withdrawal of the controversial act.