Elon Musk’s Starlink internet is being used in Manipur, India, even though it’s not allowed there. People, including militants, are using it to bypass government internet shutdowns during the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
The Indian government often shuts down the internet in Manipur to control the situation, but Starlink still works in some areas, especially near Myanmar. The People’s Liberation Army of Manipur (PLA) said they use Starlink when the internet is cut off.
Starlink is legal in Myanmar, and some devices have been brought over from there. Elon Musk wants to bring Starlink to India, but the government has strict rules due to security concerns.
Officials in Manipur found that Starlink devices were being used illegally. A police officer said they found a device smuggled from Myanmar. In Imphal, someone saw a Starlink device working at a wedding during an internet shutdown.
Not all armed groups in Manipur use Starlink. Some denied having access to it. In December, the Indian Coast Guard found a Starlink device on a boat near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, used for navigation and internet access.
SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, did not comment on these incidents.
