The Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned the prosecution of nine people charged with raising an Islamic State flag in Srinagar two years ago, The Indian Express reported on Tuesday. The nine accused in the case were charged under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for hoisting the flag on October 17, 2014, according to the report.

A notification issued by state Principal Secretary (Home) RK Goyal said the government approved the prosecution because it believed there was “sufficient material and evidence available against the accused persons”. The notification further said the police had established a prima facie case against the nine, adding that an authority appointed by the state government had “independently scrutinised the case diary and documents relevant to the case”.

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The charges under the UAPA necessitated the government’s sanction for prosecution, with the power to issue such an approval resting with the state chief minister, under current rules. Police officials said the accused had raised the militant group’s symbol to “hurt” the central government and “garner international attention” towards the Kashmir issue.

The move comes even as the state grapples with protests and anti-government rallies following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani. More than 90 people have been killed since the unrest began, with hundreds more having sustained grievous injuries during protests in the past three months. On October 21, state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the people of the state had to create an environment of “peace and tranquillity” to initiate a dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis.

The situation has also led to a deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan, with Islamabad declaring Wani a martyr and calling for plebiscites in Kashmir.