Kupwara:
For decades, Kupwara has been witness to separatist movements, but Monday's bandh was unusual. A different demand rang out on its streets: "We want justice. We want jobs. Why should our job opportunities go to other districts?''
The protests are loud and the shutdown is complete. But the agenda this time is unemployment, not azadi. People of the frontier district of Kupwara are delinking governance from the larger political issues of Kashmir and are on the streets, demanding jobs.
The government has started a recruitment drive in Kupwara in which candidates from other districts are allowed to apply.
Protestors say Kupwara has been backward for so long and it's not fair that their candidates have to compete with those who come from developed regions like Jammu and Srinagar.
"Even in Class IV job positions, Kupwara has recruited people from Jammu and other districts. If this continues, we have to fight for it," says PDP MLA Abdul Haq Khan.
Many others feel that a lot more needs to done for Kupwara, which is educationally and economically backward.
"Kupwara has suffered lots in the last 20 years. It is educationally and economically backward. People have suffered and all of us know it. It is at the LoC. We were expecting come special package for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the people. It's unfortunate even that has not happened," says Independent MLA Engineer Rashid.
But will this end up as just another bandh?
Considering it's a departure from separatist demands after a long time, it throws up both an opportunity and a challenge for the government - to bring in change.