Which Indian state government, in 2018, imposed a ban on the organisation Popular Front of India (PFI) before the later nationwide prohibition?

Introduction / Context:
From time to time, state governments in India impose bans on organisations that they consider unlawful or disruptive to public order. The Popular Front of India (PFI) has been in the news for such actions by different authorities. This question refers to an earlier state level ban imposed by a particular state government before a later nationwide prohibition and tests your recall of that state.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question focuses on a state government ban on PFI, not on central government action.
- The time frame mentioned is 2018, which helps to distinguish this event from later nationwide decisions.
- Four Indian states are listed, and only one matches this specific early ban.

Concept / Approach:
Jharkhand is noted for having imposed a ban on the Popular Front of India around 2018, citing allegations that its activities were harmful to public order. This action preceded later national level decisions and is often mentioned in general knowledge questions about law and order measures taken by states.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that this question is about a specific state level ban prior to national action. Step 2: Recall that Jharkhand government was in the news for banning PFI, classifying it as an unlawful organisation. Step 3: States like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have taken different measures at different times, but this early 2018 ban is strongly associated with Jharkhand. Step 4: Jammu and Kashmir was involved in separate security related issues, but not in this particular context at that time. Step 5: Therefore, Jharkhand is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative check, you can recall news summaries or exam oriented current affairs compilations from 2018, which mention Jharkhand as the state that banned PFI under relevant legal provisions at that time. This is usually contrasted with later national level actions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Uttar Pradesh: While active in law and order decisions, it is not usually cited as the first state to impose this specific ban in 2018.
- West Bengal: Not associated with an early ban on PFI in that period.
- Jammu and Kashmir: Involved in other security issues, but not as the state that first banned PFI in 2018.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse different states because many of them take legal action against organisations at different times. Another trap is to focus only on later national decisions and overlook earlier state level actions. Keeping a mental timeline of which state acted first helps in avoiding such confusion in current affairs based questions.

Final Answer:
In 2018, the state government that imposed a ban on the Popular Front of India was Jharkhand.