Sunzu Bachaspatimayu, Imphal: Irom Sharmila Chanu - the 'iron lady' of Manipur who has been fasting for over six-years, protesting against the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act was arrested by the police soon after she returned to Imphal, from Delhi.

After a 5-month long protest in Delhi, Sharmila resumed her fast.

Sharmila, who started a fast to protest against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act in year 2000, believes the protests in Delhi helped create greater awareness about the issue.

"Even if they aren't in favour of yielding to my demand, even the world's apex body - the United Nations - knows about the issue. I'm little confident that I'm on the path to victory," said Sharmila.

The 'iron lady' had begun her protest after 10 innocent bystanders were gunned down by Assam Rifles jawans on November 2, 2000 at Malom in Imphal. She says she wants concrete action by political parties.

"I don't know if they are doing it just to gain power or whether they are sincere about saving me by withdrawing the Act. What I wait is for concrete action. What I'm doing is voicing my protest at my level best against the use of an inhuman Act which is meant to terrorise innocent people," she said.

After a brief sit-in-protest at the historic Nupi Lan Complex, she was moved again to the hospital. Police picked her up from the protest site and after a thorough medical examination, has kept her in custody at the special ward of Imphal's JN Hospital.