Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A Starlink dish and router recovered from insurgents in Manipur during a combing operation by security forces have been found to be non-functional and incompatible in the region, forensic analysis has revealed.
“The devices had definitive Starlink markings, but forensic examinations confirmed they were not compatible in this area,” a senior intelligence official said. The device has been handed over to the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for further analysis.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is the world’s largest satellite constellation, offering broadband internet in regions where its service is licensed. Notably, Starlink is not authorized to operate in India, and Musk clarified on social media that “Starlink beams have never been turned on over India.”
The discovery of the device in Manipur’s Imphal East district comes amid ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei community and Kuki tribes, which has claimed over 250 lives since May 2023. The conflict has been exacerbated by internet shutdowns and restricted communications.
The recovered device, along with 20 meters of FTP cable and other networking tools, was seized alongside weapons, including an MA4 assault rifle and ammunition. The Starlink device had “RPF/PLA” markings, referring to the Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF), the political arm of the banned Meitei insurgent group People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Concerns Over External Influence
The presence of Starlink technology, which could potentially circumvent Indian communication networks, has heightened concerns among security agencies. Similar devices are reportedly operational in Myanmar, used by both insurgent groups and civilians in remote areas, despite Starlink lacking a license in that country.
Manipur has witnessed widespread weaponization, with over 5,800 arms reportedly stolen from police stations. Security forces have recovered 3,000 weapons, but the scale of unregulated arms and technology remains alarming.
