Starlink Device Discovered in Manipur: Forensics Reveal Compatibility Issues and Non-Functionality

Security forces in Manipur discovered Starlink equipment bearing clear markings. However, upon investigation, officials confirmed that the dish and router are incompatible with the region's network, raising concerns over their intended use.

P24 News Media

December 18, 2024

1 minute

Starlink Device Discovered in Manipur: Forensics Reveal Compatibility Issues and Non-Functionality

India

In New Delhi, security forces recently recovered a Starlink dish and router from insurgents in Manipur, but intelligence sources have determined that the devices are non-functional and incompatible with the region's network infrastructure. An official with knowledge of the situation advised NDTV that while the equipment bore clear Starlink markings, its operationality in this border state was questionable.

The army transferred the recovered equipment to the Department of Telecommunications and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for a thorough forensic examination. Preliminary findings indicate that the devices were not operational, though additional analysis is currently underway to confirm these results.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, a company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is recognized globally as the first and largest satellite network leveraging low Earth orbit technology to provide broadband Internet across various regions, contingent upon appropriate licensing. It's essential to note that Starlink’s services are not available in India at this time, although SpaceX has sought the necessary regulatory approvals. Elon Musk himself stated on social media that Starlink is not functional in India.

The security forces discovered this Starlink equipment during an intensive search operation in Keirao Khunou village, located in the Imphal East district. Alongside the satellite dish and router, the forces also seized a variety of firearms, including an MA4 assault rifle, a pistol, ammunition, and other weaponry.

Another official mentioned ongoing investigations into 20 meters of FTP cables that were found along with the satellite internet equipment. FTP cables, designed to minimize interference from external electromagnetic sources, are critical for reliable data transmission.

In 2021, the Indian government instructed Starlink to halt its pre-orders and services due to a lack of proper licensing, leading to the company's operations remaining dormant in the country since that order. Following the emergence of images displaying the Starlink devices on social media, Elon Musk took to the platform known as X to clarify that Starlink satellite beams over India had been deactivated and were never operational in the first place.

Security personnel regularly recover various items, including weapons, with reports indicating that a large proportion of these items are of advanced sophistication. According to an involved officer, more than 5,800 weapons were either seized or stolen from police stations across Manipur last year, with approximately 1,900 of those being recovered so far. In total, around 3,000 weapons have been retrieved, including those that were already circulating in the region prior to the violence that erupted in May 2023.

Manipur has been experiencing intense ethnic strife since May 2023, primarily between the Meitei community, which dominates the valley, and various hill tribes collectively known as Kuki. The ongoing violence has led to over 250 fatalities and the internal displacement of thousands as the conflict over land, identity, and political representation escalates.

The last year and a half has seen numerous internet blackouts and communication restrictions in Manipur, further complicating the crisis. The presence of the Starlink device in the conflict-ridden state has raised concerns regarding the potential for external influence and the misuse of advanced technology, which could worsen the situation by providing satellite-based high-speed internet that bypasses Indian telecommunications networks.

Notably, the seized Starlink equipment bore inscriptions referring to the "RPF/PLA," linking it to the Revolutionary People's Front (RPF), which serves as the political wing of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a Meitei insurgent organization. This group is among the eight secessionist organizations banned by the Union Home Ministry.

Starlink does not have permission to operate in Myanmar either; however, the Myanmar Internet Project, which has been monitoring the digital landscape in Myanmar since 2022, estimates that up to 3,000 Starlink connections may exist in the country. These connections are reportedly utilized by both ethnic insurgents resistant to the ruling junta as well as civilians living in remote areas.