Elon Musk dismissed allegations that Starlink was aiding insurgents in Manipur after two of its devices were seized during a raid. Musk clarified that Starlink satellite signals had been switched off in India amid security concerns.
New Dehi: Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, swiftly rejected claims that his satellite service, Starlink, was being utilized by insurgents in Manipur. Musk clarified on Tuesday that Starlink satellite beams had been deactivated over India, addressing growing speculation following a recent raid in the Imphal East district of Manipur. During the operation, security forces reportedly seized two Starlink devices, which fueled concerns about their potential use in the ongoing unrest in the region.The incident prompted widespread discussion, with many speculating that the devices had been smuggled from Myanmar, a country dealing with its own civil conflict, where Starlink devices have previously been documented in use by rebel groups. However, Musk emphasized that Starlink does not operate in India, and the beams were intentionally shut off.Starlink, which is seeking regulatory approval from the Indian government to offer satellite broadband services, has been working to address security concerns as part of its application process. The company is collaborating with authorities to ensure its technology is not misused in regions experiencing instability.Meanwhile, ongoing investigations into the unrest in Manipur revealed that looted weapons, many of which have been used in extortion operations by insurgent groups, were linked to the ethnic violence that erupted in the state in May last year. The violence, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, was triggered by a march protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
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