Amid claims that Starlink satellite was being used by insurgents in restive Manipur, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has asserted that Starlink satellite beams were turned off over India.
Amidst the claims that Starlink satellite was being used by insurgents in restive Manipur, SpaceX founder Elon Musk has asserted that Starlink satellite beams were turned off over India. Musk’s response came after users on X pointed out that a device recently seized by security forces in the ethnic conflict-torn northeastern state, allegedly carried a “Starlink logo”.
Recently, security forces had seized some internet devices along with arms and ammunition during a raid in Keirao Khunou in Manipur’s Imphal East district. The Spear Corps of the Indian Army had shared photos of the items seized on X, and users were quick to note that one of the devices had a “Starlink logo”.
“@Starlink is being used by terrorists. Hope, Elon @elonmusk looks into it and help control misuse of this technology,” an user commented. Responding to the comment, Musk wrote “This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India.”
Among the items seized from Keirao Khunou were “one internet Satellite Antenna, one internet Satellite Router and 20 meters (approx.) of FTP cables”, according to the Manipur police.
The recovery of the Starlink-like device has also prompted agencies to investigate how the equipment found its way to the strife-torn state, officials had said.
Musk’s Starlink, which provides satellite internet services, does not have a licence to operate in India yet.
More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups in Manipur since May last year.
Notably, Starlink’s military usage is not unheard of as Ukrainian forces have relied heavily on Musk’s satellites to direct aerial and sea drones to strike key Russian targets since the Russia-Ukraine war erupted in early 2022.
