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Elon Musk, Starlink deny reports of their devices being used in violence-hit Manipur
Elon Musk wrote on X that "Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India" and were “never on in the first place”.
Elon Musk and Starlink have denied reports that the company's devices, currently not licensed in India, are being used in Manipur during internet and mobile shutdowns.
Elon Musk wrote on X that "Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India" and were “never on in the first place”.
His remarks come amid a Guardian report that claimed that militant groups in the violence-hit state were using Starlink to communicate. The Guardian cited sources within armed groups and the police.
HT.com could not independently verify the authenticity of the development.
The report was categorically denied by Starlink. Lauren Dreyer, Vice-President of Starlink Business Operations, in a post on X said, “Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India. Thus, Starlink won’t work in India today and never has. We look forward (hopefully soon) to government approvals to serve the good people of India that need connectivity.”
Last month, security forces raided Keirao Khunou in Imphal East district, and seized internet devices along with arms and ammunition. Among the confiscated items, the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles recovered a Starlink satellite internet device.
While Starlink is not permitted to legally operate in India amid security concerns, it is allowed by Myanmar, which neighbours Manipur, The Guardian report claimed.
A leader from the Meitei separatist militant group, the People’s Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA), told the publication that they utilised Starlink devices to access the internet in Manipur during times when authorities had imposed internet blackouts amid violent clashes.
The report, however, added that there was no confirmation on how many armed groups in the state have access to the satellite internet as four other armed groups – two from the Kuki side and one from the Meitei side – denied that they had been using Starlink to access the internet.
What did Elon Musk say?
Elon Musk has on multiple occassions said that "Starlink satellite beams are turned off over India" and were “never on in the first place”.
He also responded to a post from the Indian Army about a search operation on December 13 in Manipur, where a communal conflict has raged since early 2023.
The post included photos of seized weapons and a satellite dish and receiver with a Starlink logo.
Notably, Starlink has been seeking approval in India to provide satellite broadband services and the Musk-owned company is trying to address any potential security concerns as part of the process.
Legal notice to Starlink
Earlier in December, police sent a legal demand to Starlink seeking purchase details of a device found when they caught smugglers at sea with $4.2 billion worth of methamphetamine, one of the biggest such Indian seizures, Reuters reported.
In December, the Indian Coast Guard said it had found a Starlink device onboard a boat it had seized close to Andaman and Nicobar, which was being used to smuggle methamphetamine.
MHA steps in
The ministry home affairs has reportedly asked the department of telecommunications to look into the matter immediately and take “appropriate steps”. Questions sent to Starlink did not elicit a response, The Times of India reported, citing unnamed sources.
"Govt had written to Starlink to know about the ownership of the devices after their recovery with drug smugglers in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, but the company has refused to provide details citing data privacy laws," ToI quoted a source as saying.
This article has been updated to reflect the latest remarks by Elon Musk and Starlink.
