Manipur: Militants Allegedly Using Elon Musk’s Starlink to Evade Internet Blackouts

IMPHAL: Militants in conflict-stricken Manipur are using Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet to bypass government-imposed internet shutdowns, The Guardian reported, despite the service being unlicensed in India.

Reportedly, security and militant groups have confirmed the use of the technology, which is legally permitted in neighboring Myanmar.

Starlink devices have reportedly enabled access to the internet in several areas of the state.

A leader from the People’s Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), a Meitei separatist group, admitted to using Starlink initially in Myanmar and later discovering its functionality in Manipur, highlighted the publication.

The service, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet and has been reportedly marketed as a solution for connectivity in remote or restricted areas. However, its operations in India remain unauthorized, according to the publication.

A senior police officer in Manipur revealed that a Starlink device had recently been confiscated, believed to have been smuggled from Myanmar. The officer confirmed the service’s functionality in areas near the Myanmar border, the report added.

A resident of Imphal reported witnessing the technology in use during an internet shutdown. “I was surprised to see it working. It was during a period when no one else had internet access,” the person said, speaking anonymously to avoid repercussions. Experts warn of its potential misuse, particularly in conflict zones, exacerbating security concerns in an already volatile region.

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