Recovered Starlink device in Manipur found non-functional, raises security concerns
text_fields
Security forces in Manipur have recovered a Starlink dish and router during an operation in Keirao Khunou village, but forensic analysis has revealed the devices are non-functional and incompatible with the region's network infrastructure, officials said.
The equipment, bearing markings of Elon Musk’s Starlink, was reportedly seized alongside firearms, including an MA4 assault rifle linked to the Myanmar Army, ammunition, and 20 meters of FTP cables designed for data transmission.
A senior officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the devices are not operational in Manipur. "The devices had definitive markings of Starlink, but they are incompatible with this region," the official said. The equipment has been handed over to the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for further analysis.
Starlink, owned by SpaceX, operates the largest satellite constellation delivering broadband globally but is not licensed to function in India. Elon Musk confirmed on social media that Starlink has never operated in India.
The discovery was part of ongoing operations in violence-affected Manipur, where ethnic clashes have persisted since May 2023 between the Meitei community and tribal groups like the Kuki. Over 250 people have lost their lives, with thousands displaced amid escalating tensions. Internet restrictions and shutdowns have been frequent in the region, complicating the crisis further.
Security officials are particularly concerned about the potential for Starlink technology to circumvent Indian communication networks, enabling external or insurgent groups to access high-speed satellite-based internet. The recovered device reportedly had "RPF/PLA" scribbled on it, referencing the Revolutionary People’s Front and the People’s Liberation Army, a banned Meitei insurgent group with ties to Myanmar.
The discovery has heightened fears of external interference, especially given Myanmar's increasing use of Starlink connections in remote areas. The Myanmar Internet Project has estimated approximately 3,000 Starlink devices in use within the country, including by ethnic insurgents.
While Starlink remains unlicensed in India and Myanmar, its technology raises significant concerns about misuse in conflict zones. The Indian government has previously blocked Starlink’s pre-orders in 2021, citing regulatory issues.