Meitei Insurgent Group's Use of Starlink Device in Manipur Raises Concerns for Elon Musk’s Satellite Network

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a first, security forces in Manipur have seized a Starlink dish and router allegedly linked to a Meitei insurgent group, sparking concerns over the use of satellite internet to coordinate attacks and share tactical information, even during periods of internet blackouts.

While the discovery of a Starlink device in the hands of insurgents in India is alarming, sources clarified that the device may not be operable in the country. Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, uses a low Earth orbit satellite constellation to provide broadband services globally, but it is not licensed to operate in India. The American company has, however, applied for regulatory clearance. Elon Musk addressed the issue on X, asserting that Starlink does not operate in India: "This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India," he said. The seizure took place on December 13 in Imphal East district’s Khunou, where security forces found not only the Starlink equipment but also an MA4 assault rifle, grenades, and bullets. The police referred to the seized device as an "internet satellite antenna and internet satellite router."

In a separate update, the Indian Army’s Spear Corps posted visuals of a joint operation involving the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police across multiple districts in Manipur, including Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi. One of the images showed the seized Starlink device, clearly marked with the Starlink logo, alongside other military equipment. The operation, based on specific intelligence, led to the recovery of 29 weapons, including snipers, automatic rifles, pistols, grenades, and other military-grade supplies. The Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), the political wing of the Meitei insurgent group People's Liberation Army (PLA), was mentioned in connection with the equipment, which is one of the eight Meitei secessionist groups banned by the Union Home Ministry.

Starlink, which introduced a new 12 by 19-inch rectangular dish in November 2021, is not licensed to operate in Myanmar either. However, the Myanmar Internet Project, a research initiative tracking digital developments in the region, estimates that around 3,000 Starlink connections are used in Myanmar, including by ethnic insurgents and civilians in remote areas. The PLA has been operating in regions near the Myanmar-India border. While police have not disclosed specific details about the seized Starlink equipment, sources indicate that the investigation is still in its early stages.