Starlink Devices Smuggled into Conflict-Ridden Manipur to Bypass Internet Blackouts

In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, the use of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet has emerged amid ongoing violence and governmental internet shutdowns. Since May 2023, Manipur has been embroiled in a deadly conflict between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki populations, resulting in over 250 deaths and the formation of armed groups on both sides.

The state has frequently imposed internet blackouts in response to the violence, often lasting weeks or months. However, sources within armed groups and law enforcement have confirmed that Starlink devices, which are not legally sanctioned for use in India, have been smuggled in from Myanmar and are operational in certain areas of Manipur. A leader of the Meitei militant group People's Liberation Army of Manipur disclosed that they have utilized the satellite internet during government-imposed blackouts.

Despite Elon Musk's interest in expanding Starlink's services to India, significant regulatory hurdles and security concerns persist. Experts warn that unrestricted satellite internet access could undermine governmental control, especially given India's record of frequent internet shutdowns. Officials from security agencies in Manipur are investigating the smuggled devices, which reportedly were brought over the border during periods when local internet access was restricted.

Although some armed factions deny using Starlink, the existence of these devices was evidenced in a separate incident related to drug smuggling in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The increasing presence of satellite internet in conflict zones raises complex questions about technology's role in both empowering and undermining state authority.