Social activist Irom Chanu Sharmila, famous for her long hunger strike against AFSPA, belongs to which Indian State?

Introduction / Context:
Irom Chanu Sharmila is an important contemporary figure in Indian social and political activism. She is best known for her prolonged hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in parts of north eastern India. This question asks where she comes from, which is a basic fact often tested in current affairs and general knowledge sections related to human rights movements.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The personality mentioned is social activist Irom Chanu Sharmila.
• She is famous for a long hunger strike against AFSPA.
• The options list the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Nagaland.
• You must identify her home state.

Concept / Approach:
Irom Sharmila, often called the Iron Lady of Manipur, hails from the north eastern Indian state of Manipur. Her hunger strike began in the year 2000 after the Malom massacre and continued for many years, bringing global attention to human rights issues in the region. While AFSPA also affects other north eastern states such as Nagaland and Mizoram, her personal origin and political base are in Manipur. Recognising this association allows you to choose the correct state among the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall who Irom Chanu Sharmila is and the nature of her protest against AFSPA. Step 2: Remember that she is widely referred to as the Iron Lady of Manipur, a strong clue to her state of origin. Step 3: Look at the options and identify Manipur among the listed states. Step 4: Note that while AFSPA applies in several north eastern areas, her home and activism are primarily linked with Manipur, not Mizoram or Nagaland. Step 5: Choose Manipur as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done by recalling news reports and articles that introduce her as a Manipur based activist. Biographical sketches in current affairs books mention that she was born in Imphal, Manipur. They also connect her protest directly to incidents that occurred in that state. Nagaland and Mizoram appear in AFSPA discussions, but the central narrative about Irom Sharmila consistently points to Manipur, confirming the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mizoram and Nagaland are both states where AFSPA has been applied, but they are not Irom Sharmila home state. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are far from the north eastern region and do not match the context of her struggle. These options appear to test whether you can correctly locate the activist within the map of India, both geopolitically and socially. Only Manipur aligns with her life story and her nickname Iron Lady of Manipur.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to confuse different north eastern states when dealing with AFSPA related questions, leading some students to pick Nagaland simply because it is prominent in insurgency news. Another mistake is to misread the question as asking where AFSPA is enforced rather than where Irom Sharmila comes from. To avoid this, always focus on whether the question is about a law, an event, or a person, and read the wording carefully. Mentally linking each prominent activist to their home region, such as Irom Sharmila with Manipur, can greatly improve recall.

Final Answer:
Social activist Irom Chanu Sharmila belongs to the state of Manipur.