A Starlink dish and router, recovered by security forces during an operation in Manipur’s Keirao Khunou village, have been deemed non-functional and incompatible in the region, according to central intelligence agencies. The devices, marked with Starlink branding, were seized alongside weapons, including an MA4 assault rifle, a pistol, ammunition, and other items suspected to belong to insurgents.
Investigations revealed the Starlink devices, belonging to billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX, could not function in the region. “The devices had definitive markings of Starlink, but they are not compatible here,” a senior officer stated anonymously. The equipment has been handed over to the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for further forensic analysis.
Starlink’s Legal Status in India
Starlink, known for its satellite-based broadband internet services, is not operational in India. The American company has faced regulatory hurdles and has not received clearance to operate in the country. In 2021, the Indian government ordered Starlink to cease pre-orders and services without proper licensing. Musk, responding to recent reports of the recovery, stated on X (formerly Twitter), “Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India and were never on in the first place.”
Concerns Over Security and Technology Misuse
The discovery of the Starlink device has heightened concerns among Indian security forces about the potential misuse of satellite-based internet to bypass restrictions, particularly in a region plagued by ethnic violence and frequent internet shutdowns. Forensic analysis is ongoing, with a focus on 20 meters of FTP (foil shielded twisted pair) cable recovered along with the device, used for reliable data transmission.
The device also bore the marking “RPF/PLA,” suggesting a connection to the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political wing of the banned Meitei insurgent group People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Escalating Crisis in Manipur
Manipur has been experiencing ethnic violence since May 2023, with over 250 deaths and thousands displaced. The conflict between the valley-dominant Meitei community and the Kuki tribes has escalated due to disputes over land, identity, and political representation.
The situation has been exacerbated by widespread internet shutdowns, adding to the complexity of the crisis. The use of external technology such as Starlink devices raises alarms about foreign influences and potential threats to national security.
Ongoing Recovery Operations
Security forces continue to recover weapons and technological gadgets daily, with about 3,000 weapons seized since the violence began. However, over 5,800 weapons were stolen from police stations in Manipur last year, with a significant portion still unaccounted for.
The seized Starlink device has prompted further scrutiny, with authorities concerned about its implications for the ongoing crisis. Investigations are being closely monitored by both state and central agencies.
Sources By Agencies