SpaceX’s satellite-based Starlink, which is currently unlicensed for use in India, is reportedly being utilized by militant groups in Manipur to bypass government-imposed internet shutdowns, according to fighters and security sources.
Although the satellite internet service, operated by SpaceX, is not legally authorized to function in India due to security concerns, it is permitted in neighboring Myanmar. This proximity has allegedly facilitated the smuggling and use of Starlink devices in the conflict-ridden north-east Indian state.
Manipur has been in turmoil since May 2023, embroiled in a violent ethnic conflict between the majority Meitei population and the minority Kuki population. The clashes have claimed over 250 lives and led to the formation of armed groups on both sides, leaving the state deeply divided along ethnic lines.
To curb the spread of information and maintain control over the escalating violence, the state and national governments have imposed repeated internet shutdowns across Manipur, often lasting weeks or months. However, the alleged use of Starlink devices by insurgents raises significant challenges for enforcement and highlights the evolving nature of technology in conflict zones.
Starlink is cheaper than the leading internet service providers in most African countries.
Multiple sources within armed groups and law enforcement have confirmed to The Guardian that Starlink satellite internet has been operational in parts of Manipur during periods when mobile and broadband services were suspended by the government. Individuals and militant groups are reported to have used the devices to access the internet despite the imposed shutdowns.
A leader from the Meitei separatist militant group, the People’s Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), disclosed that Starlink devices had been utilized by the group to maintain internet access during violent clashes when authorities cut communication lines. Initially used in Myanmar, the devices were discovered to function across the border in Manipur.
Elon Musk has expressed aspirations to expand Starlink into India, a market of 1.4 billion people. In November, the Indian government confirmed that Starlink was in the process of seeking the required security clearances. However, India’s telecom industry, including satellite internet, is heavily regulated, with experts and think tanks raising concerns about Starlink’s potential to circumvent internet blackouts tool frequently employed by Indian authorities. India has led the world in the number of internet shutdowns for the past seven years.
Officials from two security agencies working in Manipur revealed that Starlink devices had recently come to their attention, being used by civilians and armed groups to illegally access the internet. A senior police officer in the state noted that preliminary investigations suggest the devices work in certain areas, particularly near the Myanmar border. The officer added that a recently uncovered Starlink device appeared to have been smuggled in from Myanmar.
In one instance, an anonymous resident of Imphal, Manipur’s capital, recounted seeing a Starlink device, reportedly brought from the US, being used during a wedding. “The internet was working,” the resident said. “It was during the period when internet services were shut down in our region. I was surprised to see it working when I connected my own phone.”
The extent of Starlink’s use by armed groups in Manipur remains unclear. Four other groups, two from the Kuki faction and one from the Meitei faction, denied utilizing the technology.
This isn’t the first instance of Starlink devices being detected in India. In December, the Indian Coast Guard discovered a Starlink device aboard a boat seized near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The boat was allegedly involved in smuggling methamphetamine worth an estimated £3 billion. Authorities believe the device was being used for navigation and internet access within Indian waters and have reached out to Starlink for assistance in the investigation.
SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, has not responded to requests for comment.
