Starlink Device Linked to Meitei Insurgents Discovered in Manipur: A Shocking Twist in the Region's Turbulent Conflict

In Imphal East district's Khunou, security forces discovered a Starlink dish and router alongside an MA4 assault rifle, grenades, and ammunition during a joint operation on December 13. The find highlights ongoing security challenges in the region.

P24 News Media

December 18, 2024

1 minute

Starlink Device Linked to Meitei Insurgents Discovered in Manipur: A Shocking Twist in the Region's Turbulent Conflict

India

New Delhi: A significant incident has emerged in Manipur, where a Starlink dish and router were reportedly confiscated from a Meitei insurgent faction. This discovery has sparked apprehensions regarding the utilization of the internet by insurgents for orchestrating attacks and relaying tactical information, even amidst internet disruptions. However, experts clarify that the presence of a Starlink device among insurgents in India doesn't necessarily imply that it is operational within the country.

Starlink, a project under the ownership of Elon Musk's SpaceX, stands as the world's largest satellite constellation, utilizing low Earth orbit technology to deliver high-speed internet globally, wherever it holds the necessary licenses. Currently, Starlink services are unavailable in India; despite this, the American enterprise has sought approval for regulatory clearances to function within the country.

Elon Musk recently addressed the situation on social media, emphasizing that Starlink does not provide services in India. He asserted, "This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India," thereby clarifying the limitations of the service's reach within Indian borders.

The security personnel, acting on specific intelligence, executed a joint operation that led to the seizure of the Starlink equipment alongside arms, including an MA4 assault rifle, grenades, and ammunition, in the Khunou area of Imphal East on December 13. The police categorized the recovered items as "internet satellite antenna and internet satellite router."

The Indian Army’s Spear Corps shared updates regarding this operation on social media, displaying images that portrayed the collaboration between the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police across the hill and valley regions of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi. Among these visuals was a distinctive white dish and router clearly emblazoned with the Starlink logo. Notably, the initials "RPF/PLA" were also visible on the router, further linking the device to the insurgent group.

It is understood that security forces have since transferred the device to the police, emphasizing the ongoing investigation. "Acting on specific intelligence, troops of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles formations under Spear Corps carried out joint search operations in the hill and valley regions of the districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East, and Kangpokpi in Manipur, in close coordination with Manipur Police and other security forces," stated the Spear Corps in a social media post. The operation resulted in the recovery of a substantial cache of arms, totaling 29 weapons, including snipers, automatic and country-made firearms, grenades, and various types of ammunition.

The Revolutionary People's Front (RPF) serves as the political wing of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), which constitutes one of the eight Meitei secessionist factions identified as banned organizations by the Union Home Ministry. In November 2021, Starlink had unveiled a new rectangular dish measuring 12 by 19 inches to accompany its existing circular model. Observations made from the images released by security forces suggest that the dimensions of the dish align closely with these specifications, particularly noting that the newer dish design is around 20 by 12 inches.

Starlink similarly lacks the authorization to operate in Myanmar. Nevertheless, the Myanmar Internet Project—a collaborative effort established in 2022 by researchers tracking digital developments in Myanmar—estimates that approximately 3,000 Starlink connections exist within the country. These connections are reportedly utilized by ethnic insurgents fighting against the junta, as well as by local populations in remote regions.

The PLA has been conducting operations in geographic areas within Myanmar, adjacent to the Indian border. While the police have opted not to disclose additional specificities regarding the "internet satellite antenna and internet satellite router," it is noted that the investigation is in its early phases, further underscoring the complexities surrounding the security situation in the region.