In the wake of a few social media users pointing out that one of the devices seized recently by the security forces during a raid in Keirao Khunou in Imphal East district of restive Manipur had a "Starlink logo" on it, raising concerns of misuse of technology by anti-social elements, SpaceX founder Elon Musk came out with a clarification.
It is to be noted that Starlink, the satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, designed to provide global broadband internet coverage, does not have a licence to operate in India.
The Spear Corps of the Indian Army had shared photos of the items seized, including some internet devices along with arms and ammunition.
Acting on specific intelligence, troops of #IndianArmy and #AssamRifles formations under #SpearCorps carried out joint search operations in the hill and valley regions in the districts of Churachandpur, Chandel, Imphal East and Kagpokpi in #Manipur, in close coordination with… pic.twitter.com/kxy7ec5YAE
— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) December 16, 2024
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 Manipur police.
Search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. During the search operations, the following items were recovered:
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) December 13, 2024
i. 01 (one) no. of MA4 Assault Rifle, 01 (one) no. of 12 Bore Single Barrel… pic.twitter.com/Ls4lwx9Opu
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.
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After a user tagged Musk in a tweet, saying, "@Starlink is being used by terrorists. Hope, Elon @elonmusk looks into it and help control misuse of this technology," the tech mogul clarified saying, "This is false. Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India."
Meanwhile, NDTV quoted sources as saying that recovery of the Starlink device from insurgents does not mean that the device is usable in India.
Although Starlink had filed an application in India for obtaining a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite Services (GMPCS) licence, the government is yet to clear it. An availability map on the website of Starlink showed that the service is “pending regulatory approval” in India, suggesting that the system may yet be posing a threat to India.
